Tag: H5N1

FARM Program Strengthens Farmer Input

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft
  • Updated governance structure to enhance farmer input
  • Developed training and resource materials to support farmers
  • Released the Animal Care Version 2028 Stakeholder Survey

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program has spent the year so far reinforcing farmer voices through improved governance, engaging across dairy to shape FARM’s future.

FARM kicked off the year by welcoming Meggan Hain, DVM, as Chief Veterinary Officer. The new position leads NMPF’s efforts to advance animal welfare standards, support dairy producers and promote science-based best practices industrywide. Hain adds robust veterinary perspective to the team.

FARM held a two-day in-person training in May to teach evaluators how to help farmers develop an enhanced biosecurity plan, with the lessons of the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak still fresh.

This training was supported by a cooperative agreement with USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan (NADPRP). The agreement supports expanding the resources available through the FARM Biosecurity program, such as additions to the current online biosecurity training module, which helps teaches the basics of developing an enhanced biosecurity plan, and a second in-person training in Washington this October.

FARM Environmental Stewardship also released new training and resources to aid in implementing FARM ES Version 3. FARM ES created the Version 3 User Guide and Prep Guide to prepare farmers for on-farm evaluations.

FARM in March opened nominations for its Animal Care, Environmental Stewardship and Workforce Development Task Forces, receiving more than 60 total nominations across the three. After review from the FARM Farmer Advisory Council and NMPF Executive Committee, NMPF’s Board of Directors voted in the proposed slate on June 9, with 13 newly seated members. FARM proposed revisions to existing governance to better represent farmer voices during NMPF’s June Board of Directors meeting. The Board voted to restructure current Animal Care reviews, as NMPF’s Animal Health & Wellbeing Committee sets priorities for the FARM Animal Care Task Force and FARM Farmer Advisory Council ahead of the initial review.

FARM has taken the same nomination approach for its FARM Farmer Advisory Council, trying to create a collective, diverse group of farmer representatives. The council provides knowledge and input on farming practices and touts the FARM Program to its fellow producers and assures that farmer insights inform FARM workstreams. Nominations are open via the online form through Sept. 15.

NMPF’s Jonker, Hain See Bird Flu Lessons One Year Later

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Dairy farmers have boosted biosecurity and researchers have learned much about the H5N1 bird flu virus in dairy cattle one year after its introduction, top NMPF experts said in a Dairy Defined podcast. Still, the hope is that the virus may leave the dairy herd completely. 

“We’re still learning things about the virus and how it’s being transmitted from farm to farm, and we still need some answers on that, but hang in there, we’re going to get through this,” said Dr. Jamie Jonker, NMPF’s chief science officer. “I do believe we’re going to eliminate the virus from the U.S. dairy cattle population. I think it’s just a matter of when, not if.” 

Since the H5N1 Avian Influenza virus was first reported in cattle in March 2024, more than 1,000 dairy herds have been infected, Jonker said. Still, successful eradication has taken place in some areas, and the lack of evolution of the viruses within cattle has created hope. Dr. Meggan Hain, NMPF’s chief veterinary officer, said biosecurity practices are key to containment and elimination. The National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Program offers a wealth of materials that can assist, she said.  

Bird flu has “given us a chance to really learn some of the lessons of, where do we have opportunities, where are there things that we’ll want to sort of dig into so that we’re better prepared in the future if we do get challenges,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of things we can take away from this that we can really make improvements on.” 

To learn more about biosecurity responses in dairy, visit the FARM Program website at nationaldairyfarm.com. For more of the Dairy Defined podcast, visit Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music and search under the podcast name “Dairy Defined”. 

FARM Biosecurity Remains Leader on H5N1; First In-Person Training Approaches

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program is preparing for its first in-person FARM Enhanced Biosecurity training, with H5N1 in dairy cattle still a significant concern one year after it was first identified.

The Program has released five new guides and one-pagers in the past year that give farmers necessary tools to protect their farms. The two-day in person training, set for April 30-May 1, will provide FARM program evaluators with the opportunity to learn how to help farmers develop an enhanced biosecurity plan.

The training also provides a networking opportunity with other dairy professionals and a chance to hear from a Virginia dairy producer about the process and lessons learned from implementing a FARM Biosecurity–Enhanced plan.

This training is supported by a cooperative agreement with USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan (NADPRP). The agreement supports expanding the resources available through the FARM Biosecurity program, such as additions to the current online module and a second in-person training set for 2026 in Washington.

For questions, please contact Miquela Hanselman, mhanselman@nmpf.org.