Colleen Kottke

Wisconsin State Farmer

March 9, 2026, 12:00 p.m. CT

Bird flu outbreaks impact Wisconsin egg producer

State officials have reported two more outbreaks of bird flu in commercial flocks in Jefferson and Walworth counties – both owned by the nation’s fourth largest egg producer Daybreak Foods, Inc.

The Lake Mills based company was hit by an outbreak in an egg-laying facility near Palmyra in Jefferson County on Feb. 26. when 1.2 million birds had to be depopulated. With the latest outbreaks, this is the fifth time in six months the virus has hit Daybreak Foods’ facilities.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection [DATCP], the Jefferson County flock had more than 1.6 million hens while the Walworth County flock had nearly 1.5 million chickens.

DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture animal health officials are working together in a joint incident response. The affected premises have been quarantined and the birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system, according to a news release from DATCP. Birds are typically composted on land owned by the poultry company.

The spring migration of wild birds and waterfowl usually spurs a resurgence of bird flu cases across the U.S.

 Ron Kean, University of Wisconsin-Madison’s poultry specialist, told Wisconsin Public Radio that poultry producers are also growing frustrated by a lack of solutions in this new era of avian flu response. 

“There’s going to have to be more work on vaccination, which is a big international political issue,” he said. “That I think is one of the big frustrations for the poultry industry.”

International trade restrictions on vaccinated poultry have made the federal government and some American poultry producers hesitant about a vaccine rollout. But some countries, including France and Britain, are moving toward vaccinating birds against the disease, WPR reported.

Daybreak Foods raises more than 24 million laying hens, according to its website. Kean said losing over 4 million laying hens is a large percentage of the state’s commercial poultry population.

Last year’s outbreaks of bird flu seriously impacted the egg-laying industry, sparking egg shortages across the country and driving up the cost of eggs to consumers.

Event brings more than $1.2 million through Elmore County

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By Jordan Scheufler

Published: Mar. 8, 2026 at 8:24 PM PDT|Updated: 16 hours ago

GLENNS FERRY, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —Trappers and buyers from across the United States and internationally gathered in Glenns Ferry over the past several days for the Idaho Trappers Association’s annual fur sale at the Elmore County Fairgrounds.

The event featured pelts from more than 20 states, including 1,700 bobcats and 1,000 coyotes. Buyers attended from across the country and internationally, seeking fur for coats, hats, and ceremonial items.

The Idaho Trappers Association said its primary mission is to protect trapping in Idaho. Rusty Kramer, president of the association, said trapping has been a lifelong part of his identity.

“I don’t fish, don’t bird hunt because my dad didn’t…. it’s part of who I am. I identify as a trapper,” Kramer said.

Kramer said the organization works to counter what it describes as misleading media coverage of trapping.

“There’s attacks coming on trapping because it’s misled in the media quite a bit. And so we try and get that education out there. And so we protect this thing that we love,” Kramer said.

The fur sale is one of the association’s largest fundraisers. Kramer said the event is designed to give trappers the opportunity to sell their fur at maximum value.

“We bring buyers in and have this event where we just stage this fur sale and bring buyers in and give trappers a chance to sell all their fur for the maximum value,” Kramer said.

The sale is projected to bring more than $1.2 million through Glenns Ferry and Elmore County. The event has grown to the point that Elmore County commissioners funded an overflow tent to accommodate attendance.

The association also hosts seminars, trapping classes, and kids’ activities at the event, all free and open to the public.

Kramer said all animals are fully utilized, including skulls, teeth, and feet, which have value as craft items.

“The main thing that we want to make sure that we tell everybody is those animals are all being utilized… We got a renewable resource here that can be utilized. And when the markets dip down, these animals still need to be harvested. And it’s just a shame to waste them,” Kramer said.

Volunteers, some working 18-hour days over the course of the event, were credited with making the sale possible.

“All these guys you see — volunteers — we had a row of people working 18 hours for the last two days just volunteering because they love what we do and love protecting and love this group. And it’s like a big family here,” Kramer said.

Idaho Trappers Association annual fur sale draws buyers from around the world to Glenns Ferry