Nationally, #H5N1 has been found in 4 🦙 alpacas in Idaho, 2 dead feral 🐈 cats in New Mexico and 67 dairy 🐄 herds across nine states. With more animal to animal transmission, two recent human cases in the U.S. and a potential mortality rate of 50%, we need to ramp up surveillance efforts…
"Bird flu may be spreading in cows via milking & herd transport. New data challenge assumed transmission route & some call for restricting cattle movement.
It's spreading through dairy cattle in the US may be expanding its reach via milking EQP the ppl doing the milking, or both.
The avian virus may not be spreading directly from cows breathing on cows, as some researchers have speculated-."
#GOP#Project2025 proposes to eliminate the #USDA and the #FDA, two agencies that inspect our food for safety. They intend to do this the next time a Republican is elected President. Men like #Trump will go along as long as he's paid.
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for 40 newly-created Climate Change Fellowship positions.
The positions will be filled with the intention of assisting the record number applications from farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses seeking funding for clean energy projects under the Rural Energy for America Program.
According to the job posting on usajobs.gov, the anticipated salary for the positions will range from $57,118 to $89,835. The new positions are being funded by the Inflation Reduction Act."
"'It feels like I'm not crazy.' Gardeners aren't surprised as USDA updates key map."
TL;DR: The USDA has updated its plant hardiness zone map, showing that half the country has shifted into a new zone due to warming temperatures. #gardening#climatechange#USDA
I get fed up with WaPo and then it turns around and does a fine piece like this, documenting the appalling state of animal welfare enforcement of exotic species in this country.
Paywall removed
Runaway zebras delighted the nation — and exposed their owner’s dark past
The survival of wolves in northern #Minnesota faces multiple challenges, with the leading cause of death stemming from actions taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture ( #USDA ). In 2022, 174 documented #wolf deaths occurred in Minnesota, with a significant portion attributed to the USDA's Wildlife Services division – responsible for mitigating human-wildlife conflicts.
"If you have these Foster Farms products #USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service wants you to throw them out.
76,961 lbs of mini corn dog products sold by Foster Farms recalled bc “unfit for human consumption” after FSIS said it received some complaints of “odor, off appearance, unpleasant taste.”
"On April 16, APHIS microbiologists identified a shift in an H5N1 sample from a cow in Kansas that could indicate that the virus has an adaptation to mammals."
For the few who don't know mammals includes us humans.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is the group in the USDA that inspects and monitors US our food supply.