As WPI noted on 5 October, the first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) since April 2023 was reported in South Dakota. So far in October, there have been 34 reported cases according to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and 92 percent of the birds affected were commercial turkeys. In all, about 870,500 birds have been affected. There were also cases reported on breeding operations in Minnesota; 20,400 birds at one operation and 2,700 toms at another. This of course raises issues about the impact on Thanksgiving (23 November) demand, however, most of the supply for the holiday demand has already been harvested.   Turkeys take a minimum of 14 weeks to grow for slaughter, and up to 18 weeks for...

TAGS – Livestock, North America