The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.
USDA last week announced the release of its National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) requiring raw milk samples to be collected and shared with USDA for testing and surveillance of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in dairy cattle. The new testing strategy aims to identify affected states and herds, enhance biosecurity measures to prevent transmission and protect the dairy workforce from exposure. By providing a uniform and structured testing system, the strategy will help ensure the safety of livestock in unaffected regions, support effective containment efforts and strengthen the overall biosecurity needed to eliminate H5N1 from the U.S. dairy herd.
NMPF continues to work closely with USDA and other stakeholders to safeguard the health of dairy cattle and the well-being of the employees who work with them, and will continue to emphasize the importance of practical, science-based solutions that enhance disease monitoring and prevention while ensuring business continuity for dairy farmers.
WHAT'S NEW?
The Federal Order includes three new requirements.
It requires the sharing of raw milk samples, upon request, from any entity responsible for a dairy farm, bulk milk transporter, bulk milk transfer station or dairy processing facility that sends or holds milk intended for pasteurization.
It requires herd owners with positive cattle to provide epidemiological information that enables activities such as contact tracing and disease surveillance.
Like USDA’s April 24 Federal Order, it requires that private laboratories and state veterinarians report positive results to USDA that come from tests done on raw milk samples drawn as part of the NMTS.
The NMTS has begun already in several states, including California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. USDA plans to expand testing to all 48 contiguous states in the coming weeks.
WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF THE TESTING STRATEGY?
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will work with each state to test in a way that works for the state and aligns with NMTS standards. Once a state begins testing, APHIS will place that state into one of five stages based on its H5N1 virus prevalence. As states move to another stage, USDA will have a stronger picture of our progress towards eliminating H5N1 at state, regional and national levels. These stages include:
Stage 1: Standing Up Mandatory USDA National Plant Silo Monitoring
USDA will immediately begin nationwide testing of milk silos at dairy processing facilities. This national sample will allow USDA to identify where the disease is present, monitor trends and help states identify potentially affected herds.
Stage 2: Determining a State’s H5N1 Dairy Cattle Status
Building on the results of silo monitoring, in collaboration with states, USDA will also stand up bulk tank sampling programs that will enable us to identify herds in the state that are affected with H5N1.
Stage 3: Detecting and Responding to the Virus in Affected States
For states with H5N1 detections, APHIS will work quickly to identify specific cases and implement rapid response measures, including enhanced biosecurity using USDA’s existing incentives programs, movement controls and contact tracing.
Stage 4: Demonstrating Ongoing Absence of H5 in Unaffected States
Once all dairy herds in a state are considered unaffected, APHIS will continue regular sampling of farms’ bulk tanks to ensure the disease does not re-emerge. Bulk tank sampling frequency will progressively decline as the state demonstrates continual silo negativity (e.g., weekly, monthly, quarterly if continually negative). If a state becomes affected, USDA will re-engage detection and response activities, and the state will return to Stage 3.
Stage 5: Demonstrating Freedom from H5 in U.S. Dairy Cattle
After all states move through Stage Four, APHIS will work with the states to begin periodic sampling and testing to illustrate long-term absence from the national herd.
IS ANY OTHER TESTING STILL RECOMMENDED?
Dairy farmers in affected regions are encouraged to regularly perform PCR testing on bulk tank milk. This proactive approach helps producers support their herds, strengthen biosecurity measures and safeguard cattle handlers. NMPF’s latest resource highlights the advantages of early detection.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
NMPF remains committed to providing feedback to USDA on the testing strategy’s implementation and its effects on dairy farmers and their operations. Please share your feedback and questions with jjonker@nmpf.org.
USDA yesterday hosted an informational webinar about the NMTS. More information from USDA is available here. Visit www.nmpf.org/hpai for resources to help dairy farmers and their cooperatives navigate this ongoing issue.
