Michigan rolls out relief for dairy farmers hurt by bird flu

• The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is offering financial assistance to farms affected by bird flu 
• Funding of up to $28,000 is available for 20 farms
• The money comes with a catch: Farms must participate in long-term studies and complete epidemiological investigations

Michigan officials on Tuesday announced financial relief of up to $28,000 apiece for dairy farms hurt by the bird flu.

The national outbreak has killed nearly 100 million chickens and infected  cattle herds across a dozen other states, according to the most data by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Michigan, over 6 million birds have been impacted by the disease at 25 farms in 10 counties. 

“We understand our dairy farmers are facing unprecedented challenges, and this action is an important step toward supporting them during this emergency,” Tim Boring, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said in a statement.

Recently, a second Michigan farmworker was infected with the avian flu, H5N, after working closely with cows that were infected with flu, which is also known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). 

Related:

• Nation’s third human bird flu case detected in Michigan
• Why Michigan cows may hold key to stopping bird flu spread
• Michigan farmers must step up bird flu fight under new emergency order

There have been three total human cases of the bird flu this year, the other in Texas. The disease has also been found in other mammals.

Bird flu can be fatal to domestic poultry flocks, and once the disease has been detected, farmers are required to “depopulate” or kill the infected birds to prevent the disease from spreading further, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

It wasn’t immediately clear Tuesday how many chickens have been killed in Michigan because of the disease.

Up to 20 farms can receive the assistance. But the farms have to work with state and federal officials and participate in epidemiological investigation and studies. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture already provides funding to farmers impacted by the bird flu, but the state’s assistance will be immediate, according to the press release. 

Boring said the research provided through the package “will help us advance science in real-time to best develop our continued rapid response.”