Health officials are still working to learn more about High-Path Avian Flu (HPAI) found in dairy cattle in several states, and on Tuesday, the markets reacted sharply to the news.
At first, the cases in Texas and Kansas left farmers and officials baffled, calling it a mystery illness. Some cows had to be culled, but others returned to normal, and it appears to only be affecting older dairy cows.
HPAI devastated the poultry industry over the last few years, with widespread outbreaks in commercial poultry flocks resulting in the death of millions of birds across the United States — specifically devastating egg-layer flocks. Previously, it was only detected in commercial and wild birds, however, scientists recently confirmed the first case affecting livestock, when it was discovered in a baby goat in Minnesota earlier this month.
Health officials say instances of HPAI in dairy cattle pose no threat to humans because of the pasteurization process that occurs before dairy products hit supermarket shelves.
Our friend, markets expert Tommy Grisafi was on the Cow Guy Close and said the outbreak could have a big impact on the markets if it gets any worse.
“What we’re worried about in commerce is that people in foreign countries will take a break on American beef,” Grisafi said, reacting to the news. “They’ll go elsewhere like New Zealand, Mexico, Australia... and if they have to go to England to get beef, that’s not good.”
Tariff relief and new trade agreements may temper food costs by reducing import costs.
December 09, 2025 11:55 AM
·
Lewie Pugh with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) discusses the gap in truck driver education programs and how it impacts road safety and supply chain economics.
December 08, 2025 03:49 PM
·
Cattle imports from Mexico remain stalled amid the New World screwworm outbreak. At the same time, Tyson closures add pressure on Nebraska producers and markets ahead of the USDA’s upcoming Cattle on Feed Report.
December 08, 2025 01:55 PM
·
Georgia has regained its HPAI-free status after a swift response to October’s detection. Commissioner Tyler Harper urges producers to stay vigilant and maintain biosecurity.
December 08, 2025 01:29 PM
·
USTR Jamieson Greer signals a narrower trade deal with China, adding more market uncertainty. The Farm Bureau also supports reviewing China’s missed trade commitments under the Phase One.
December 08, 2025 01:00 PM
·
Record yields and exceptionally low BCFM strengthen U.S. corn’s competitive position in global markets.
December 08, 2025 12:00 PM
·
The Lexington shutdown pushes national slaughter capacity utilization nearer long-run averages, underscoring how tight cattle supplies are reshaping packer operations.
December 06, 2025 06:00 AM
·
Reed Marcum started hosting a toy drive in 2015. Since then, he has distributed thousands of toys across his home state of Oklahoma and in Texas and Arkansas. Now serving in the Army, Reed’s family and local 4-H chapter are running the event.
December 05, 2025 04:20 PM
·
Mike Steenhoek, with the Soy Transportation Commission, shares his outlook on current grain stocks and transportation lines amid bumper crops filling bins across the United States.
December 05, 2025 02:18 PM
·
