Animal Legislation Update by Vanessa Gagne,


Government Relations & Communications Consultant


How H5N1 is affecting our fairs in 2024


How H5N1 is affecting our fairs in 2024


 cattle this past March, our fairs have tried to implement science based measures to ensure the safety of the animals on agricultural


display. While it can and does spread to humans, the greater   symptoms in the bovine population. So far, people infected with  illness, and case numbers in humans remain low. Out of an abundance of caution, a federal order was issued in April stating that lactating dairy cattle must test negative for  got to work putting together special rules for the upcoming fair season. The USDA guidelines for state fairs and agricultural displays emphasize the importance of biosecurity to protect livestock from diseases like HPAI. New recommendations published by the USDA in June have helped guide exhibitors through the new  contact between animals, controlling visitor interactions, and ensuring clean, sanitized environments have all been part of regular operations but now there is the added requirement of the negative test prior to movement. Additionally, the CDC has also recommended that fair exhibitors limit the time pigs, poultry and cattle are on display to 72 hours or less. Animals are monitored for signs of illness, and any that exhibit symptoms are isolated and not allowed to travel. Proper planning and strict adherence to these protocols requires close  everyday animal experts, the farmers. Each state fair faces unique challenges with livestock. The  county fairs in Wisconsin, for example, began in June, just in time to keep cows safe for the whole season of exhibitions. The Pierce County Fair in Ellsworth, WI, did not host any milking cows this year and sent all the poultry home before any other animals arrived.


Minnesota decided to have no live dairy cow births at the


Miracle of Birth Center. Pregnant cows cannot be tested until they have given birth and begin lactating, which does not follow the recommended timeline for testing and containing the virus.


New and expecting mothers pen at the Eastern Michigan State Fair 2022 In Michigan, lactating cows were not allowed at fairs until 60


days had passed since a reported positive case. The Allegan County Fair had a great back up plan - if there had been an outbreak they would have held their cattle show virtually. At the Iowa State Fair, the interactive Milking Parlor was closed


to minimize any contamination and spread through equipment. The State Fair of Texas is in full swing. Their protocols for this


year’s exhibiting dairy cattle were released in July by the Texas Animal Health Commission via Executive Order. Attending lactating    from cows to humans.


In Illinois, beef and dairy cattle are shown separately, but


shared milking equipment at fairs poses a high risk for HPAI 


away from public events due to the virus being present in raw milk. The late timing of fairs may help, as many animals have potentially been exposed to the virus earlier in the year. Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy said, “... if different fairs have different rules, it’s not out of incompetence. It’s because people just don’t know what to do.” Just as they do every year, our fairs are at the forefront of educating the public on the challenges of working with animals  not only as farmers, but for securing our food supply. By working


 the reality of what it takes to maintain biosecurity while caring for the animals that feed us. It goes without saying that each and every fair is equipped with the knowledge and experience to navigate a bump in the road and still provide people with fun and


engaging animal experiences. Currently scientists at the National  virus in cattle to stop transmission, with the ultimate goal of reducing the risk that it will become a widespread disease in people. Both the CDC and USDA have comprehensive material on their websites for exhibition organizers and exhibitors needing guidance. 


See you down the road, Vanessa


OABA ShowTime Magazine • SEPTEMBER 2024 39 OABA ShowTime Magazine • OCTOBER 2024 27


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