Breaking: New Bird Flu Strain Detected in Dairy Cattle—What It Means for the Industry
On January 31, 2025, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed by whole genome sequence the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype D1.1 in dairy cattle. This confirmation was a result of State tracing and investigation, following an initial detection on silo testing under the USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) in Nevada.
New Restrictions on Cattle Imports Amid Rising Influenza Concerns—What You Need to Know!
With the recent outbreaks of avian influenza A H5N1 affecting dairy cows, 17 U.S. states have imposed restrictions on cattle imports to safeguard domestic herds. Explore the impact of these restrictions, the ongoing surveillance efforts, and the latest recommendations from health authorities on how to manage and prevent the spread of this evolving influenza threat.
Cattle on low-protein rations may need amino acid supplement to boost milk yield
A series of experiments, which were published in the Journal of Dairy Science, followed, confirming the importance of histidine to maintain milk production and milk protein content when cows were fed diets with reduced protein concentration. Lactating mammals require large amounts of amino acids to support milk synthesis by mammary glands during lactation, Hristov noted. Amino acid metabolism is a critical process for the lactating mammary gland.