Avian flu threatens Australian cattle markets

Victorian state agriculture body Agriculture Victoria has detected avian influenza while investigating poultry deaths at a farm, prompting concerns that it could affect Australian cattle markets as it has in the US.

Avian flu cases are spreading globally and can spread from birds to livestock and humans, although transmission is rare. Avian flu has been detected in livestock in the US since March 2024. Over 50 dairy herds in nine states have confirmed cases of avian influenza and two dairy workers were infected. Infected cows have symptoms of lower lactation and appetite but recover with little to no mortality, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not anticipate the virus will affect beef production, although the outbreak possibly weighed on US cattle futures despite avian flu not yet being detected in any commercial beef herds. The Australian market is still digesting the news of avian flu in Victoria state, with the Argus Northern feeder steer price unchanged this week from the previous week at A$3.34/kg.

Agriculture Victoria said further tests were being done at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness to determine the type of virus. Avian influence strains can be low pathogenicity avian influenza or high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI). HPAI strains are lethal to infected poultry and can kill entire flocks within days, according to the USDA.

Preliminary results indicate the virus strain is not the same as that reported in the US and Antarctica, according to Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The Victorian property with avian flu has been being quarantined. Poultry farmers and bird owners are encouraged to report any unexplained bird deaths.

By Edward Dunlop