Bird flu could cost nearly $1 billion in Minnesota and Iowa

In this May 12, 2015 photo, dead chickens are buried in a farm field near Rose Acre Farms, near Winterset, Iowa. Rose Acre Farms is depopulating its Winterset egg-laying operation after the avian influenza virus was discovered two weeks ago. Agriculture economists say the bird flu could cost the Iowa economy more than $600 million and Minnesota over $300 million as the virus continues to spread to new barns. The estimates include sales losses to feed suppliers, trucking companies, and processing plants.(Rodney White/The Des Moines Register via AP) MAGS OUT, TV OUT, NO SALES, MANDATORY CREDIT In this May 12, 2015 photo, dead chickens are buried in a farm field near Rose Acre Farms, near Winterset, Iowa. Rose Acre Farms is depopulating its Winterset egg-laying operation after the avian influenza virus was discovered two weeks ago. Agriculture economists say the bird flu could cost the Iowa economy more than $600 million and Minnesota over $300 million as the virus continues to spread to new barns. The estimates include sales losses to feed suppliers, trucking companies, and processing plants.(Rodney White/The Des Moines Register via AP) MAGS OUT, TV OUT, NO SALES, MANDATORY CREDIT

By Associated Press May 18, 2015 4 min read

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Bird flu could cost nearly $1 billion in the economies of the two states hardest hit, Minnesota and Iowa, agricultural economists said Monday, and the virus is still spreading.

Iowa, the nation’s leading egg producer, has lost about 20 million chickens that lay eggs for food use, more than a third of the total. Minnesota, the top turkey state has lost more than 8 million birds.

So far the U. S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed the bird flu has claimed nearly 37 million birds in 15 states but the number is significantly larger because additional farms in Iowa and Minnesota recently discovered are not yet on the list. The figures include birds killed by the virus as well as those killed to prevent its spread.

On Saturday, Rembrandt Foods announced that chickens at its second farm, an egg facility in Renville, Minnesota, had tested positive for the virus. About 2 million chickens will be euthanized. The company, one of the largest egg producers in the U.S., had to destroy 5.5 million chickens on its Rembrandt, Iowa, farm after the flu turned up there last month.

“Avian Influenza is a challenge to not only the Rembrandt Foods’ business, but also its co-workers, customers, the communities in which it operates, and to the widespread industry as a whole,” Jonathan Spurway, a company spokesman, said in a statement.