Poultry Health in Focus on Ag Day

By Scout Nelson

On National Agriculture Day, two U.S. senators met with turkey farmers and industry representatives in Minnesota to discuss pressing issues in the poultry sector. The visit aimed to highlight the ongoing challenges turkey producers face, particularly those related to bird health and disease prevention.

Both senators are members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. They were hosted by the president of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association (MTGA) and joined by other stakeholders, including farmers, veterinarians, and processors.

The discussion centered around major poultry health concerns such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and avian metapneumovirus (aMPV). These diseases have had a significant impact on turkey farming, prompting calls for stronger federal support. Topics included increasing indemnity payments for farms affected by aMPV, boosting research into effective vaccines, and enhancing biosecurity audits through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

To gain a clearer understanding of modern turkey farming practices, one of the senators visited an empty brooder barn. This tour offered insight into how turkeys are raised and how disease prevention plays a critical role in daily operations.

The National Turkey Federation (NTF) expressed appreciation for the senators' ongoing efforts. “As members of the Senate Ag Committee, Ranking Member Klobuchar and Sen. Smith continue to demonstrate strong support for the turkey industry during these challenging times,” said the NTF in a public statement.

Senator Amy Klobuchar, who has served since 2007, was named the ranking member of the agriculture committee in December 2024. Senator Tina Smith, who has been in the Senate since 2018, recently announced that she would not seek re-election.

Elsewhere, Senator Roger Marshall from Kansas, also a member of the agriculture committee, visited the Cargill Innovation Center in Wichita on the same day. His visit focused on agricultural innovation and research, further emphasizing the importance of supporting farmers across the country.

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