More than 2.2 million turkeys were lost to avian metapneumovirus last year, adding to bird flu fatalities.

https://www.startribune.com/ampv-minnesota-turkey-industry-loss-swollen-head-syndrome-bird-flu-indemnity-usda/601360196

By Brooks Johnson

The Minnesota Star Tribune

May 23, 2025 at 9:53AM

Three-week-old turkeys, known as poults, gather at the water bowls in a barn in Kensington, Minn., in 2023. (Glen Stubbe/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

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There’s a new virus wiping out Minnesota turkey flocks, and unlike with bird flu the federal government doesn’t cover producers for losses.

Last year, Minnesota growers lost an estimated 2.2 million turkeys to avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), according to a study prepared for the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association.

That amounted to $112 million in lost sales for turkey farms.

“The emergence of aMPV in turkey flocks poses significant challenges to producers, exacerbating the existing pressures on the industry,” the study said.

Minnesota is the nation’s leading turkey producer with 33.5 million birds raised last year, a steep decline from previous years due to compounding virus fatalities and decreasing demand.

The highly pathogenic bird flu, or avian influenza, outbreak that began in 2022 has claimed 6.4 million turkeys in Minnesota.

For bird flu, the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides indemnity payments that help cover the cost of repopulating poultry barns, since federal policy requires flocks be euthanized when bird flu is detected.

In Minnesota, more than $178 million in federal assistance has been paid to poultry producers to date, according to a spending database.

With aMPV, also called swollen head syndrome, growers have been “challenged by its non-reportable status with the USDA and lack of funding available for losses incurred,” the study said.

“This report re-emphasizes the urgent need for indemnity program support from federal partners,” said Minnesota Turkey Growers Association president Jake Vlaminck. “The emergence of aMPV has created a new layer of economic uncertainty for our growers.”

The highly contagious respiratory disease, first detected in Minnesota flocks in April 2024, leads to decreased egg production and high mortality rates.

Proposed changes include increasing the number of days allowed for use of artificial light, night vision, and thermal imagery equipment when harvesting coyotes, and adding trapping tools.

•  By Missouri Department of Conservation
•  May 23, 2025
•    https://www.grandviewoutdoors.com/predator-hunting/mdc-proposes-expanding-furbearer-hunting-and-trapping

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Conservation Commission gave initial approval to several regulation changes from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to expand furbearer hunting and trapping opportunities at its May 16 open meeting in Jefferson City. As many populations of furbearing species continue to increase, the proposed regulation changes will increase trapping opportunities and provide landowners with additional tools to manage wildlife populations and respond to human-wildlife conflicts.

The Commission gave initial approval to increasing the number of days that allow the use of artificial light, night vision, and thermal imagery equipment when harvesting coyotes. The proposed regulation would extend the use of these tools to 252 days from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, excluding the prescribed spring turkey hunting season. Prior to the proposed regulation, artificial light, night vision, and thermal imaging equipment could only be used to harvest coyotes from Feb. 1 through March 31, a total of 59 days.

The Commission also approved a proposed regulation change that would allow Conibear and similar type traps that are 7 inches in size or smaller to be used in dryland sets on private property with some restrictions on placement and use. Previously, these types of traps could not be more than 5 inches, unless set in water.

In addition, the Commission approved a proposed regulation change that would allow the use of snares in dryland sets on private property with certain requirements on size and device configuration. Currently, snares can only be used in water sets. The proposed regulation would allow snares in dryland sets on private property as long as they are set 150 feet from public areas and property boarders, unless written consent is obtained.

MDC is seeking public comments on the proposed regulation changes from July 2 to July 31, 2025. Get more information and submit comments at mdc.mo.gov/contact-engage/public-commenting-opportunities.

Related: Land Between the Lakes Sees Renewed Effort to Control Feral Pigs

If given final approval, the anticipated date for the regulation changes to take effect is Jan. 1, 2026, for extended use of artificial light, night vision, and thermal imagery equipment when harvesting coyotes. If given final approval, the anticipated date for the other regulation changes to become effective is April 1, 2026. For more information on Hunting and Trapping in Missouri, visit MDC online at mdc.mo,gov.