While several cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported in commercial Iowa turkey flocks in recent days, officials with the Iowa Turkey Federation say the turkey supply is safe and there will be plenty of birds for roasting at Thanksgiving.
Federation spokesperson Morgan Pothoven says Iowa producers are striving to ensure their flocks — and consumers — are protected from bird flu…
Two commercial turkey flocks in Buena Vista County have been infected with bird flu this fall. One of the cases was confirmed this week. Bird flu has also struck a commercial turkey flock in Pocahontas County.
State ag officials say migrating wild birds are the likely source of the bird flu outbreaks. Despite the setbacks where outbreaks were confirmed, Pothoven anticipates there will be an ample supply of turkeys for the big holiday later this month…
Most of the turkeys that are raised in Iowa are used for products like sliced sandwich meats, not the type of whole bird you’d put in the oven at Thanksgiving.
Iowa is the nation’s seventh-largest turkey producer with an estimated 12 million birds raised here each year.
(thanks to Radio Iowa for contributing)
