turkey

Minnesota has recorded 13 straight days with no new cases of bird flu as the focus on recovery continues. Minnesota turkey and chicken producers have lost around 9 million birds on 108 farms to the new H5N2 avian influenza virus since early March.

The top turkey producing county in the top turkey state has reported another case of bird flu. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health reported presumptive positive test results Tuesday from a 39th flock in Kandiyohi County.

Three more Minnesota turkey farms have been hit by probable cases of bird flu, raising the state's total to 97. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health says the presumptive new cases reported Wednesday include flocks in Brown, Meeker and Kandiyohi counties.

Bird flu has returned to Minnesota after a lull of over a week with no new cases, with presumptive positive test results from six turkey farms.

Jennie-O Turkey Store says it's laying off 233 employees at its processing plant in the southern Minnesota city of Faribault because of bird flu outbreaks that have cut the number of available turkeys.

Gov. Mark Dayton says the state may set up a low-interest loan program for farmers hit by a deadly bird flu outbreak.

Poultry produced in Minnesota, and other states affected by bird flu, is safe to eat. That's the message from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. University of Minnesota Extension Educator Dan Martens says the flocks are monitored closely.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar has been meeting with Minnesota turkey producers to hear their concerns about the bird flu outbreak, and says she plans to speak with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack soon to discuss the federal response to the crisis.

A third Minnesota turkey farm has been struck by a bird flu strain that's deadly to poultry.

When you dig in to that Thanksgiving turkey tomorrow, chances are it came from right here in Minnesota.