MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Lifelong turkey farmer Greg Langmo knew as soon as the young flock that usually clustered around him like curious little puppies turned lethargic and stopped eating that his Minnesota farm had been struck by the bird flu that has shaken the poultry industry.
Part of the loss is financial: Langmo lost more than 30,000 turkeys at his farm near Litchfield, and expects to lose well over $100,000 even after partial government compensation. But a big part is emotional, too, even for large-scale farmers, who take pride in caring for their birds.
“They looked just awesome – clean-feathered and red-headed. They were really a nice flock to be around. We really enjoyed them, and that came to a screeching halt,” Langmo, 57, told The Associated Press.
Bird flu has badly shaken the Midwest poultry industry, which has lost nearly 28 million chickens and turkeys already. Farmers are facing huge losses, and one plant laid off workers Tuesday because of short supplies.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza virus on more than 100 Midwest farms since early March. Hardest hit have been Minnesota, the country’s top turkey producing state, and Iowa, the No. 1 egg producer.