USDA announces assistance for dairy producers with HPAI-infected operations

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the USDA will help dairy producers dealing with High-Path Avian Flu (HPAI) H5N1 outbreaks in their herds.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Friday that the USDA will begin helping dairy producers affected by recent outbreaks of High-Path Avian Flu (HPAI) H5N1 in dairy cattle.

USDA will allow APHIS to spend $98 million for several relief efforts aimed at increasing biosecurity, testing, and compensation for lost milk production. Some of the measures include helping producers cover shipping costs for the required tests.

The Department will also offer financial support for protective gear for affected herds but only if those operations agree to participate in a CDC workplace study.

The full list of actions:

FACT SHEET: USDA, HHS Announce New Actions to Reduce Impact and Spread of H5N1
Related Stories
The USDA’s February WASDE report looms as the CME Ag Economy Barometer shows declining farmer confidence, and more ag industry groups calling for swift policy action.
Congressman Pete Stauber explains why the repeal of a Biden-era mining ban is good not only for his home state of Minnesota – it’s good for America.
Dr. Peter Beetham, interim CEO of Cibus, joined us to discuss the status of EU gene-editing deregulation and its potential implications for agriculture.
Danny Munch of the American Farm Bureau joined us to discuss USDA’s latest farm income forecast, revisions to prior estimates, and what the updated data means for farmers heading into 2026.
HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy calls on cattle producers to retain breeding cows while Ivomec receives emergency authorization to prevent New World screwworm.
Policies aimed at ground beef prices may primarily reshape dairy incentives rather than deliver lasting consumer savings.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Nearly everyone in the South Texas ag community appears extremely worried about the potential of a New World screwworm epidemic, according to a local veterinarian. RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports.
Large-scale land purchases signal rising competition for ranchland, reinforcing its value while reshaping long-term access and control in rural agriculture.
Brian Earnest, an animal protein economist with CoBank, shares insights into current demand trends and the challenges facing broiler production.
Jack Hubbard, with the Center for the Environment and Welfare, shares context and perspective on the controversial letter about Prop 12 circulating in Washington and how a review shows it misled the public.
AFBF Economist Faith Parum discusses the financial challenges currently facing farmers and the Farm Bureau’s 2026 outlook for the farm economy.
From tariff talks in Europe to SCOTUS uncertainty and rising farm losses, analysts say policy and global supply will shape grain markets in the year ahead.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.