According to U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, all dairy cattle will require testing for High-Path Avian Flu (HPAI) H5N1, or Influenza ‘A,’ before interstate travel starting Monday, April 29.
The USDA is alerting producers that they will cover the testing costs, which must be done at registered testing facilities. If there is a positive case, Agriculture Sec. Tom Vilsack says it must be reported to the USDA and tracing must be done. No positive cattle may move.
So far, in addition to outbreaks in commercial poultry, HPAI H5N1 cases in dairy cattle have been observed in eight U.S. states.
The USDA has compiled extensive resources from veterinary virologists with HPAI-related recommendations for livestock owners, specific to cattle and poultry as well as horses, other types of farm animals, wildlife, and humans that may come into contact with infected animals. These resources also detail biosecurity measures like protecting food sources from wildlife and reducing access to water sources, barns, and other structures that house livestock.
In addition to covering the cost of HPAI H5N1 testing, the USDA also offers farm loans to help producers cover the cost of implementing more advanced biosecurity measures.
For a breakdown of the USDA’s new requirements for the dairy industry, click the following link to read the full Federal Order:
Federal Order Requiring Testing for and Reporting of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Livestock.
This is a developing story. Stay with RFD-TV News for updates.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council published a joint press release regarding the advancement of legislation to delist the Mexican Gray Wolf from the Endangered Species Act.
January 23, 2026 05:05 PM
Placements and marketings beat expectations, but declining on-feed totals and feeder constraints keep the supply story supportive for cattle prices into 2026. Dr. Derrell Peel, with Oklahoma State University, joined us to break down cattle-on-feed numbers and provide his broader market outlook.
January 23, 2026 04:40 PM
·
USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, Travis Burton, joined us to discuss the Princeton facility (formerly Porter Road Meats), now backed by the USDA, and its role in expanding domestic meat processing capacity.
January 23, 2026 03:39 PM
·
Pennsylvania Farm Show scholarship recipient Elizabeth Dice discusses her award, her background in farming, and her path forward in the agriculture industry.
January 23, 2026 01:48 PM
·
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.
January 23, 2026 11:56 AM
·
Large-scale land purchases signal rising competition for ranchland, reinforcing its value while reshaping long-term access and control in rural agriculture.
January 23, 2026 07:00 AM
·
While row crops are expected to see softer impacts, analysts say severe weather of this magnitude will not be as kind to cattle producers.
January 22, 2026 11:05 AM
·
Dairy farmer and Discover Ag co-host Tara Vander Dussen joined us to discuss the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, her experience at the signing, and what’s next for her family and farm.
January 21, 2026 12:42 PM
·
Analysts say a Supreme Court decision on tariffs could reshape protein markets, strain U.S.-China trade, and force farmers to rethink global demand strategies.
January 21, 2026 12:03 PM
·
