$10k grants for dairy farmers to boost H5N1 biosecurity efforts

Midwestern dairy farmers can apply now at WisCheeseMakers.org for reimbursement grants of up to $10,000 each to support on-farm biosecurity efforts amid the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in dairy cattle.

Total pilot program funding of $100,000 is available on a first-come, first-served basis through the Dairy Business Innovation Alliance, a partnership between the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and the Center for Dairy Research.

“We know that farmers face myriad pressures, and we want to help them feel supported as they address new challenges posed by the outbreak of H5N1 in dairy herds,” said WCMA Senior Director of Programs & Policy Rebekah Sweeney.

Funding is available to dairy farmers operating anywhere in DBIA’s 11-state service region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Ten reimbursable, no-match grants of up to $10,000 to dairy farms to acquire essential supplies and equipment to prevent the on-farm spread of H5N1. No match is required.

Grant funds can be used to support the purchase of equipment and supplies, employee training, and biosecurity consulting services. A complete list of eligible items and an online application form are available on the website.

Questions about the grants may be directed to WCMA Grants & Business Programs Director Danica Nilsestuen at dnilsestuen@wischeesemakers.org.

The grants are the latest in a series of WCMA offerings designed to help the dairy industry respond to H5N1. 

H5N1 updates

In a letter sent last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments, and U.S. Department of Agriculture asked State Departments of Agriculture to engage in a voluntary six-week silo sampling study to determine the prevalence of H5N1 in raw milk at dairy processing facilities.

On August 13, the FDA released the results of its second retail sampling survey of retail dairy products. This survey tested 167 dairy products collected at retail locations for highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1).

The samples included aged raw milk cheese as well as pasteurized fluid milk and products made from pasteurized milk, such as pasteurized cheeses, cream cheese, butter, and ice cream. No viable H5N1 virus was detected in the products.