Egg and poultry producers in Iowa and 11 other states are facing financial catastrophe as the deadliest avian flu outbreak in U.S. history continues to kill their flocks.
The producers’ plight has long tentacles. Consumers who eat eggs, chicken and turkey likely will pay a price at the grocery store as supplies of poultry meat and eggs drop off. Spot shortages could prevail until the epidemic burns itself out and flocks can be rebuilt. Sadly, with the virus still raging there is no timetable for rebuilding efforts to start.
The USDA estimates to halt the worst avian flu outbreak in history 38 million birds exposed to or infected with the H5N2 virus must be destroyed and disposed of nationwide.
As the egg production capitol of the country, Iowa will lose an unimaginable 25 million birds – four of every 10. Most will end up composted, cremated and/or buried in landfills.
The virus does not normally affect humans. But it can be spread in densely populated factory farms by human operators who don’t practice adequate "bio-security." Allegations of inadequate hygiene on the nation’s bird farms have been raised by the media. But sadly not soon enough to head off the outbreak. Neither producers nor regulators appear to have taken their responsibilities seriously.
Consequently, poultry farmers’ losses will be in the billions of dollars, officials estimate.
That will have a domino effect on the economies of states like Iowa. The one positive element of the catastrophe is that unlike cattle herds, chicken and turkey flocks can be rebuilt relatively quickly. It’s due to the quick growth and short life cycle of birds compared to cows or hogs. The poultry industry’s recovery of course hinges on successfully decontaminating infected farms, finding healthy birds to reproduce, and paying infinitely far greater attention to bio-safety.
Another real danger for Iowa’s and other state’s poultry growers runs deep in the human psyche. Worried consumers around the country are already wondering if it’s safe to buy poultry products. It’s a public relations nightmare that must be addressed.
