Mike Pearson tells us the toll Avian influenza has left behind since 2021 and what preparation is being done for the future.

Only eight months ago, eggs were setting record prices. The leading cause was the highly contagious avian influenza.

In 2022, 43 million laying birds were lost due to the virus.

In 2023-- the virus outbreaks have decreased due to the virus cycle and less birds were lost.

Dr. John Clifford, of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC), addressed producers at the chicken marketing summit. He said the industry has made big strides. He added that producers have worked hard in biosecurity in the past 10 years when it comes to poultry producers. This has included washing trucks coming in and out of farms as well as limiting access to barns has stopped the spread of the virus.

He said while some producers are beginning to vaccinate, it could be hard to export those birds and still may get effected by the virus which will mean depopulating the flock.

The USDA is going to focus on building poultry barns near water sources where birds gather and utilize biosecurity measures.

Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, a farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness.