BOONE, Iowa – The USDA has approved the first field safety trials for testing avian influenza vaccines in dairy cattle, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced at the Farm Progress Show, which was Aug. 27-29 in Boone.

He said the field trial is the next step in the development of a vaccine, “which hopefully we’ll be able to develop in near term with the information we get from this field trial. That will allow us to determine whether we can go to the next level, next set of steps necessary to ensure safe and effective use of the vaccine.”

The announcement came on the heels of an Aug. 16 letter sent to Vilsack from the International Dairy Foods Association, the National Milk Producers Federation, United Egg Producers and the National Turkey Federation, urging the USDA and its federal partners to support development of safe and effective avian influenza (H5N1) vaccinations for dairy cows, as well as turkeys, and egg-laying hens.

“As this outbreak of H5N1 continues to progress, it is clear that a new approach is needed,” the groups said. “This includes the availability of animal vaccines effective against current and future strains of H5N1 that are necessary for a sustainable food supply, as well as human and animal health.”

The groups said the vaccines must be economically feasible for farmers and operators, and cannot be deployed without a comprehensive science-based approach and a validated, risk-based surveillance strategy that has been agreed upon by international trading partners.

The groups added the ongoing outbreak of avian influenza in poultry and dairy operations threatens the livelihoods of farmers and producers, and the security of the nation’s food supply.

“Furthermore, a widespread and circulating animal disease with no end in sight could eventually upend the balance of the overall farm economy, putting billions of dollars of bulk commodities, inputs, and consumer products at risk,” the groups said.

The virus first appeared in cattle in Texas earlier this year. Since March, avian influenza has been detected in over 190 herds in 14 states: California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. But the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said the virus’ spread did slow in August.

According to the USDA, the agency’s Center of Veterinary Biologics is overseeing the avian influenza testing efforts and is now accepting submissions for field studies to support conditional or full licensure of nonviable, non-replicating vaccines.

Phillip Jardon, Iowa State University dairy extension veterinarian, told Farm World, “More tools to help combat avian influenza are always welcome. There are a lot of details that need to be worked out, including any restrictions to trade, efficacy (the power to produce a desired result) of the potential vaccine, and dairy producers’ perceptions.”

Vilsack said, “The challenge is getting a vaccine that works, getting it to a vaccine that’s safe. Sometimes you can do that quickly. Sometimes it takes a while.”

Alex Davidson, senior director of public affairs with the National Turkey Federation, told Farm World the group supports the development of a vaccine to combat avian influenza in poultry, a disease that continues to devastate the turkey industry.

He said this is an important step toward reducing the risk of avian influenza spill-over into commercial turkey flocks, and to reduce the overall environmental viral load of the deadly bird flu.

“However, the National Turkey Federation is concerned that under current trade agreements, unilateral vaccination in the U.S. could negatively impact poultry and egg exports,” he said. “Additionally, the National Turkey Federation urges the federal government to swiftly negotiate new trade agreements with international partners to protect the turkey industry from further harm.”

Vilsack said he doesn’t expect the trials to disrupt trade: “The expectation is that there won’t be quite the level of concern as there is in poultry, and the reason being that dairy cows and cattle generally are vaccinated for a lot of things, and are engaged and involved in a lot of different medicines being applied.”

The USDA is encouraging dairy farmers to enhance biosecurity efforts on the farm, such as thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting parlors, equipment, clothing, and vehicles; separating sick cows and limiting movement of cattle; wearing and disinfecting personal protective equipment; and limiting traffic onto the farm.

Earlier this summer, the USDA announced funding for dairy farmers who have experienced milk losses due to avian influenza in their dairy herds. Applications will be accepted through the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program until Jan. 30, 2025.