It’s been a few years since a widespread avian flu outbreak hit U.S. poultry farmers hard, prompting national egg shortages and higher prices for products. Farmers are starting to get worried again, after a highly contagious strain of the flu has been found in a commercial chicken flock in Tennessee. [More]
avian flu
U.S. Poultry Industry Facing New Bird Flu Strain Currently Wreaking Havoc Overseas
By 1.27.17
A very familiar threat could be winging its way toward U.S. poultry farms, and it’s got the industry more than a little bit worried: there’s a new strain of avian flu speeding across Europe and Asia, forcing farmers to destroy tens of millions of infected birds. [More]
Can You Get Bird Flu From Your Cat?
By 12.20.16
At first glance, the above headline might seem like a no-brainer — “Cats aren’t birds, silly!” you might be thinking. But what if your favorite feline caught bird flu — would that mean you’re at risk for catching the bug, too? [More]
Egg Prices Fall After Avian Flu Recovery, Demand Still Stays Low
By 5.13.16
Last year, an epidemic of bird flu killed millions of chickens and turkeys, affecting the supply of bird-based meats and of chicken eggs. Experts thought that the shortage and high egg prices might continue, but they were wrong: farmers were able to breed and raise new generations of female chicks, ready to take the place of their fallen colleagues. [More]
USDA Reports First New Case Of Bird Flu Since June At Commercial Turkey Farm In Indiana
By 1.15.16
As U.S. poultry farmers continue to get their flocks back to normal levels and consumers are finally seeing prices dropping after the widespread avian flu outbreak that hit the industry last year, officials with the Department of Agriculture say they’ve found the first case of bird flu since last June. [More]
The Average Price Of Thanksgiving Dinner Predicted To Top $50 For The First Time Ever This Year
By 11.19.15
It’s only a week until Thanksgiving, which means you’re probably getting your shopping list ready for the big day of feasting. Prepare yourself for (slightly) higher prices than last year, as experts predict that the average Turkey Day dinner will cost more than $50 for the first time ever. [More]
Egg Prices Went Up Yet Again Last Month — But Relief Could Be In Sight
By 10.16.15
The bad news: the after shocks of the avian flu outbreak that hit U.S. farms this year continue to linger, with egg prices increasing yet again in September. The good news: prices should start to fall, experts say, just in time for prime holiday baking season. [More]
It Ain’t Over Yet: Bird Flu Aftershocks Will Keep Egg, Whole Turkey Prices High
By 8.17.15
Though the bird flu crisis might be over now, the toll it’s taken on egg and poultry producers in the U.S. will continue for quite some time. Industry experts say egg prices will climb higher than previously predicted, and stay high through 2016. Meanwhile, frozen wholesale turkeys will also cost more this Thanksgiving than last year. [More]
Could Avian Flu Hurt McDonald’s All-Day Breakfast Plans?
By 8.7.15
McDonald’s has been testing an all-day breakfast menu in various pockets around the country, and it’s reportedly planning on going nationwide with the concept in the fall. But could the ongoing avian flu problem — and the high egg prices that have resulted from it — scuttle this long-awaited change? [More]
Grocers: Egg Supply Is Fine Amid Bird Flu Outbreak Because Higher Prices Keep Demand Down
By 6.9.15
Although you might be seeing higher prices for a carton of eggs at the supermarket or limits on how many you can buy at once, it’s not likely you’ll be facing bare shelves at stores anytime soon, say grocers. Prices have tripled in some areas, tamping down demand as some customers aren’t willing to shell out the extra dough for a dozen eggs. [More]
H-E-B Posting Signs In Stores Asking Customers Not To Buy More Than 3 Cartons Of Eggs Amid Shortage
By 6.5.15
Following on the heels of Whataburger’s recent announcement that it’s shortening its weekday breakfast hours due to the recent egg shortage caused by an especially bad outbreak of avian flu, Texas supermarket chain H-E-B is posting signs in its stores asking customers to please not buy up all the eggs at once. [More]
Whataburger Shortening Weekday Breakfast Hours Amid National Egg Shortage
By 6.1.15
We were warned, and so it has come to pass: The recent outbreak of avian flu that’s been decimating poultry populations in the Midwest is putting the hurt on American consumers. Whataburger announced that starting today, it’ll be shortening its breakfast hours in the face of a national egg shortage. [More]
Prices For Eggs, Turkey Meat Starting To Rise As Bird Flu Outbreak Continues
By 5.12.15
We’ve heard warnings that Thanksgiving turkey supplies could suffer a hit this season amid a severe outbreak of avian flu in the Midwest that began in April, and now it appears consumers will begin to see effects in their wallets. The prices for eggs and turkey meat are going up as more chickens and turkeys fall to the disease. [More]
Poultry Pros: Avian Flu Outbreak Could Impact This Year’s Thanksgiving Feasts
By 5.5.15
It’s still more than six months away, but amid an avian flu outbreak in the U.S. that’s doing some serious damage to poultry farms, some people are already having to think long and hard about Thanksgiving. Supplies of whole turkeys might not be able to keep up as well as usual with the holiday demand. [More]
Hormel Says Turkey Sales Will Suffer This Year Because Of Bird Flu Outbreak
By 4.21.15
In the midst of a major avian flu outbreak, Hormel says the fallout from the virus will mean it sells fewer turkeys this year, after losing 1.7 million birds on 28 farms in Minnesota. [More]
Vaccine-Resistant Bird Flu Takes Flight
By 8.30.11
Avian flu won’t seem to go away, and there’s a particularly nasty, vaccine-resistant strain of the virus popping up in China and Vietnam. The Food and Agriculture Organization says the virus poses “unpredictable risks to human health.” [More]
Scientists Genetically Modify Chickens To Not Pass On Avian Flu
By 1.17.11
As bird flu threatens to morph into a virus that can be passed from human to human, British scientists have taken a step forward in preventing the spread of the deadly epidemic by producing genetically modified chickens which are unable to transmit the flu to other creatures. [More]
