Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed an executive order to help control the spread of avian influenza. This executive order waives trucking regulations to assist with the depopulation effort. A USDA emergency response team is in Minnesota to support the control and containment of avian influenza. “Minnesota is king of turkey growing; it’s a big part of our economy.” Minnesota’s poultry industry was quick to identify the virus. Walz says a lot was learned from the outbreak in 2015. “That ended up having a financial impact about $650 million and ended up depopulating about 9 million birds.” Walz told RRFN. “Producers understand this, it is not only an economic hit, it’s a big psychological hit because people pour their lives into raising these birds.” A hotline number is in place for growers to report sick or dead birds or to answer questions about avian influenza. That hotline number is 833-454-0156.
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