LAKE LILLIAN, Minn. — Concerns over the spread of bird flu are carrying over to the dairy cow industry . Earlier this spring, the H5N1 virus was detected in three dairy cow herds in Minnesota.
The virus hasn't been fatal for cows, but it's caused state officials to take unprecedented steps to stop the spread. "I had it last year. These barns in particular had bird flu.
And it was a mess," said Jake Vlaminck. It's been a year since Vlaminck's Lake Lillian farm was hit by avian influenza. As he ramps up his poultry production, he's made one visible change.
"Ever since we put these lasers in we haven't had any issues," said Vlaminck. The laser keeps away ducks, geese and other migratory birds — the main carriers of H5N1. Vlaminck believes other turkey farmers will follow suit.
That's because lawmakers recently approved funding for wild bird deterrents — like coyote and owl decoys, noise makers and lasers — which Vlaminck feels are the most effective. "You can kind of see it up there. But it moves around and the best thing about it is because it's moving so much the birds don't get used to it," said Vlaminck, who is also president of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association.
As poultry farmers take action, dairy farmers are facing new requirements after some cows in central and southern Minnesota tested positive. Beginning Tuesday, all lactating dairy cows in Minnesota must have a negative H5N1 test result in order to attend exhibitions, county fairs, and even the State F.
