Will’s Wisdom: Avian Influenza & Dairy Cattle

Avian influenza has been sweeping the headlines recently. But, you know what… I ain’t worried about it.

I don’t believe that is arrogance. I believe it is just confidence. I am confident in the way we raise our animals.

The cattle in this photo are wearing collars and standing on concrete. Mine ain’t.

My livestock are all walking around in deep grass that is grown in microbe-rich deep topsoil. I’m willing to bet that this causes my animals to have a strong immune system. I bet that it is strong enough to prevent them from becoming infected with avian influenza.

Years ago, I sent one of my free-range chickens to the veterinary laboratory for some routine testing. The preliminary results indicated that the bird was presumptively positive for avian influenza. This required further testing that needed 24 hours to determine the results.