Hundreds of dairy cows are dying of highly-pathogenic avian influenza, reversing early observations that is mild in cattle, although deadly to poultry flocks.
In the state’s Central Valley, extreme heat has exacerbated health issues in cows suffering from the virus, which causes fever, slowed milk production and other symptoms, said Anja Raudabaugh, chief executive officer of CEO of Western United Dairies, which represents almost 90 per cent of the state’s dairy farms.
Farms that might normally lose one or two cows per month have had hundreds die, Raudabaugh said.
Farmers contract with rendering companies to pick up dead cows, buy they’re having trouble keeping up, so some are rotting in the sun, he said.
Temperatures in the southern Central Valley, home to many dairies, have exceeded 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) six times so far in October, according to the National Weather Service.
Baker Commodities, a California rendering company, has seen an increase in dead dairy cows due to the heat and bird flu, said spokesperson Jimmy Andreoli II.
Joey Airoso, a Tulare County dairy farmer, said he is surrounded by dairies that have been hit with bird flu infections.
“The way its been traveling around here, I feel like almost everybody will probably get it,” he said.
The dead cows are a threat to spread the flu, particularly via carrion-eating birds such as vultures.
