State Offers Funds to Dairy Farms for Participating in Bird Flu Research

By Dee Morrison

Tuesday Michigan’s agriculture department announced financial assistance to dairy farms impacted by avian influenza that help with research

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, MDARD, is offering immediate financial aid through its Emergency Response programing for dairy farmers impacted by highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Funding is available for up to 20 farms of up to $28,000 per farm, which is in addition to federal funding already available to impacted dairy farms in Michigan.

Eligible farms must work with MDARD and federal veterinary services to complete epidemiological investigations on the farm, participate in real-time herd research with Michigan State University teams, and engage in programs related to human infection with the state health department if necessary.