HPAI Update from your Bovine Issues Working Group

4/26/24

Dear Dairy Producers,

We wanted to reach out and see how you're doing with the influx of information and challenging news related to the identification of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in U.S. dairy cattle. We're here to break down what's happening and provide perspective. With last Wednesday’s announcements from FDA and USDA, the Bovine Issues Working Group (BIWG) has been hard at work coordinating with your State Veterinarian, Dr. Amber Itle, to best understand how mandatory interstate movement testing will be executed in Washington State and how it may affect your businesses now, and moving forward. Your first step when needing to move lactating dairy cattle out of state will be to contact your local veterinarian to schedule testing and CVI inspection.

Here's what you need to know about the new USDA Order:

What: Prior to interstate movement, lactating dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory, in Washington that’s the WADDL Lab at WSU.

For groups/lots of 30 or fewer animals moving interstate, all animals being moved must be tested. If more than 30 animals are moving interstate, then only 30 animals total must be tested.

*Nonclinical lactating dairy cattle moving interstate direct to slaughter are not required to have a premovement test but must move on a certificate of veterinary inspection or other documentation of movement approved by state animal health officials.

Why: To continue to monitor and understand the extent of this virus and reduce the risk of further disseminating HPAI H5N1 virus, resulting in greater threats to poultry and livestock.

When: Beginning Monday, April 29, 2024. Sample collection and testing must take place no more than seven (7) days prior to interstate movement. Plan ahead and work with your veterinarian to ensure you have met the requirements and have trucks lined up for timely movement.

Where: All states.

Who: USDA-APHIS has mandated testing of all lactating dairy cattle moving out of their state of origin. Samples are to be collected by an accredited veterinarian, a state-licensed veterinarian, or a sample collector approved by the appropriate state animal health official.

What animals are exempt from pre-movement testing?

Non-lactating dairy cows, springers, bull calves, heifers and all beef breed cattle of any class are exempt for interstate movement (between states).

All unaffected dairy and beef cattle that move intrastate (within the state) of Washington are exempt from testing.

What happens if a test result is positive?

• Interstate movement of animals infected with HPAI is prohibited. Animals that test positive cannot move for 30 days. Clinical lactating dairy cattle are ineligible for interstate movement or movement to slaughter.
• Lactating dairy cattle from herds that have tested positive for Influenza A will be under quarantine are not eligible for interstate movement for 30 days from the most recent collection of any sample that tests positive from any individual animal in the herd. After the 30-day period, animals must be tested again for movement.
• All private and NAHLN Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A detection diagnostic results in livestock to USDA APHIS.
• Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive will be required to provide USDA-APHIS with epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing.

Across the country, we see affected cows recover after supported care with little to no associated mortality. It is important to emphasize the importance biosecurity plays in limiting disease spread for all livestock and poultry. And while evidence suggests minimal threat to human health, USDA suggests these resources to protect farm workers.

In the meantime, the BIWG will continue to monitor consumer and trade media and correct misinformation in the media to consumers and industry.



We understand that this may be a stressful time for you, your family, and your business. The BIWG and our member organizations are here to support you and provide information and assistance. If you need help, we are here to listen, provide feedback, and anything else you may need.

Sincerely,

Your Bovine Issues Working Group

The Bovine Issues Working Group includes the Washington State Beef Commission, Washington State Dairy Products Commission, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington Cattlemen’s Association, Washington State Dairy Federation, Washington Cattle Feeders Association, Cattle Producers of Washington, and Washington Farm Bureau working in collaboration with Washington State University, Washington Department of Health and industry stakeholders.

USDA Reminds Producers of Climate-Smart Opportunities Using Farm Loan Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds agricultural producers that Farm Loan Programs can be used to support a variety of climate-smart agriculture practices, which build on many practices that farmers and ranchers already use, like cover cropping, nutrient management and conservation tillage.



Climate-smart agricultural practices generate significant environmental benefits by capturing and sequestering carbon, improving water management, restoring soil health and more. Farm loan funding complements other tools to help producers adopt climate-smart practices, such as FSA’s Conservation Reserve Program, crop insurance options that support conservation, and conservation programs offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

FSA offers multiple types of loans to help farmers and ranchers start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation. These loans can provide the capital needed to invest in climate-smart practices and equipment including the establishment of rotational grazing systems, precision agriculture equipment or machinery for conversion to no-till residue management. Additionally, for programs like Conservation Reserve Program and NRCS conservation programs where USDA and the producer share the implementation cost, a farm loan could be used for the producer’s share, if consistent with the authorized loan purpose. 

Clean Energy Project Funding

Commerce is now accepting applications to support the planning, design, and construction of clean energy projects through a general round which is open to all eligible project types and applicants. Approximately $34 million will be available in the general round to support the following project areas:

• Electric grid modernization and innovation
• Innovative large-scale and dual-use solar
• Solar energy retrofits for public buildings
• Clean energy project siting and permitting
• Building, industry, aviation and maritime Decarbonization
• Clean energy projects that leverage private and federal funding

Applicants only need to submit one application per project to apply for grant funding, and they may submit applications for multiple projects. Commerce will evaluate each application across all potential programs and match projects to the relevant funding source(s).

Match funding will be required for for-profit entities, including investor-owned utilities, at 50% of project costs. Applicants to the solar energy retrofits for public buildings project category, with the exception of state agencies, will be required to provide 5% match funding using non-state funds. No other entities are required to provide matching funds.

Rural Energy For America Program

The program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. Agricultural producers may also apply for new energy efficient equipment and new system loans for agricultural production and processing.

How may the funds be used?

Funds may be used for the purchase and installation of renewable energy systems, such as:

• Biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels).
• Geothermal for electric generation or direct use.
• Hydropower below 30 megawatts.
• Hydrogen.
• Small and large wind generation.
• Small and large solar generation.
• Ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation.

Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as:

• High efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC).
• Insulation.
• Lighting.
• Cooling or refrigeration units.
• Doors and windows.
• Electric, solar or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots.
• Switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor.
• Replacement of energy-inefficient equipment.

Energy Efficiency Improvement applications must contain an Energy Audit, or Energy Assessment (depending on Total Project Costs) that complies with Appendix A to RD Instructions 4280-B

Agricultural producers may also use guaranteed loan funds to install energy efficient equipment and systems for agricultural production or processing.

American Jersey Cattle Association Scholarship

The scholarship program of the American Jersey Cattle Association supports educational opportunities for Jersey youth enrolled in post-secondary institutions and also on-farm internships.

Organized in 1868, the American Jersey Cattle Association has sponsored educational programs and activities for young people interested in the Jersey breed since 1917. Junior members have the same registration privileges as Lifetime Members, and also the incentives of a comprehensive program leading to national recognition for their achievements with Jersey cattle. 

Application forms for the 2024-25 national Jersey scholarships are due on July 1, 2024. 

Farmer/Rancher Research & Education Grant Program

The Western SARE Farmer/Rancher Research & Education Grant Program focuses on advancing on-farm sustainability solutions by funding innovative producer-driven research and outreach. This grant program involves agricultural producers (main applicants) and technical advisor(s) implementing projects to address identified needs in sustainable agriculture.

We recognize that producers are always innovating and improving on-farm/ranch practices. This program aims to honor producer innovation by funding on-farm research that benefits and is led by producers themselves. We encourage you to explore whether this grant program is right for you.

How the Program Works

Projects with 1-2 producers may apply for up to $25,000 and projects with 3 or more producers working together may apply for up to $29,900.

With a Farmer/Rancher Grant, a producer and a technical advisor work together to develop a project (1-3 years in scope) that conducts both research and outreach on a sustainable agriculture topic. With the support and guidance of the technical advisor, producers must integrate research and education to conduct on-site/on-farm experiments to address social, environmental, and economic aspects of agricultural sustainability.

The goal of this program is to achieve results that can be communicated to other producers and professionals; sustain and improve the environmental quality and natural resource base on which agriculture depends; improve the profitability of producers and associated agricultural businesses; and enhance the quality of life for producers in local communities. Outreach activities may include on-farm/ranch demonstrations, farmer-to-farmer educational activities, and other approaches to assist producer adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.