By Scout Nelson
Congressman Brad Finstad, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, led members of Minnesota’s Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins. The letter asks the department to provide financial support to turkey farmers who have suffered major losses from avian metapneumovirus (aMPV). The lawmakers want USDA to recognize qualifying turkey deaths caused by the disease under the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
LIP is a federal program that provides payments to farmers and ranchers for livestock deaths or injuries that exceed normal levels under eligible conditions. The lawmakers believe the program should cover qualifying turkey losses caused by aMPV. They also request a way for farmers to apply for assistance for eligible losses that occurred in 2024 and 2025.
Avian metapneumovirus caused the loss of more than 2.2 million birds in 2024 alone. The disease has continued to affect turkey flocks in Minnesota, which is the leading turkey-producing state in the United States. The spread of the virus raises concerns about the health of poultry flocks, farm income, and the wider poultry industry.
The letter explains that turkey farmers face serious challenges when the disease spreads through their flocks. During the years in question, growers did not have access to a commercially available vaccine to protect their birds. Farmers also followed recommended biosecurity practices and worked with veterinarians to protect their flocks. However, these steps did not always prevent the disease from causing heavy losses.
Small and independent turkey growers have faced especially difficult conditions. Some farms experienced repeated losses before an effective vaccine became commercially available. The lawmakers argue that these deaths were higher than normal and occurred because of circumstances that farmers could not reasonably control.
The delegation also questions why USDA has not recognized aMPV-related losses as eligible for LIP assistance. The letter points to decisions from USDA’s National Appeals Division that address the eligibility of these losses. According to the lawmakers, these decisions show that aMPV-related deaths may qualify when farmers provide enough evidence that the disease directly caused livestock mortality beyond normal levels.
The lawmakers want USDA to apply this reasoning fairly to similar claims. They argue that farmers should not have to go through lengthy and costly individual appeals when their cases meet the program’s requirements.
The letter makes four main requests. First, the lawmakers ask USDA to formally recognize qualifying turkey deaths caused by aMPV as eligible for LIP assistance. Second, they want the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to apply relevant National Appeals Division decisions consistently when reviewing claims. Third, they request a process that allows farmers to submit or reconsider applications for eligible losses from 2024 and 2025. Finally, they ask USDA to provide clear instructions about the records and documents farmers need to support their applications.
The requested assistance may not cover all the losses that farmers have suffered. However, the lawmakers believe financial support could help affected families keep their farms operating. For some small and independent growers, assistance may play an important role in keeping their businesses open and allowing the next generation to continue farming.
The letter also connects support for turkey farmers with the goal of keeping food affordable for American families. Disease-related losses can reduce domestic food production and increase costs across the supply chain. When farmers lose large numbers of birds, the supply of poultry products may face added pressure. Helping eligible farmers recover part of their losses could support continued production and help protect the nation's food supply.
Minnesota's turkey industry plays an important role in the state's rural communities and agricultural economy. Family farms support local jobs and contribute to the supply of poultry products across the country. Continued disease-related losses could place additional pressure on these farms and the businesses that depend on them.
The lawmakers urge USDA to act quickly and use the administrative options available to provide fair access to assistance. They also express their willingness to work with USDA, FSA, and Minnesota's turkey industry to develop a clear and practical process.
Photo Credit: istock-peopleImages
Categories: Minnesota, Livestock, Poultry