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As the United States grapples with the ongoing threat of avian influenza, small-scale farmers like David Southard are emphasizing the importance of protecting their operations to ensure a stable egg supply.
Southard, who operates a family farm in Alabama, has seen firsthand the devastating impact of disease on his business. Last year, he had to cull his entire flock after an outbreak of mycoplasma, a bacterial infection that is different from bird flu but still required him to personally kill each chicken by cutting their throats.
Despite not qualifying for federal assistance due to the severity of the disease, Southard’s farm has bounced back, and he is now poised to meet increased demand. However, the risk of avian influenza remains a concern, particularly given his pasture-raised approach which keeps chickens outdoors and exposes them to potential contact with wild birds that could be carrying the virus.
Southard acknowledges the risk but believes his outdoor approach strengthens his chickens’ immune systems, reducing the need for antibiotics. “No medicines needed to keep them going. So, we just use nature’s benefits,” he emphasized.
As the industry grapples with bird flu outbreaks, the USDA has announced plans to almost double its spending on the issue, from $1.1 billion to a projected $2.1 billion. While this increased investment may seem like good news for farmers like Southard, he believes that support should also extend to small-scale operations.
“We just bared through it and kept going,” Southard said, reflecting on his experience with mycoplasma. “I think there’s probably a question there about when USDA should get involved or not… So, I don’t think we have the right answer yet, but it should be looked into some more.”
Southard is not alone in his concerns. Many small farmers face significant barriers to accessing federal support, including the inability to qualify for reimbursement programs due to the severity of their disease outbreaks.
The USDA’s increased investment in bird flu research and control efforts may provide some relief, but Southard argues that it is essential to also protect small-scale farms like his own.
“Small farmers like us, family farms, play a key role because it takes away the big consolidation that’s happened and spreads out the risk where you have more farms across the state or country and more farmers,” he said. “So, if one gets hit, it’s not as big of an effect on the whole supply chain.”
Southard’s commitment to pasture-raised eggs has earned him loyal customers who appreciate the difference in taste and quality. His business is now thriving, and his fresh eggs are in high demand.
However, he believes that small-scale farmers must be supported in order to ensure a stable egg supply for consumers.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bird-flu-usda-funding-egg-prices/
