USDA will begin testing raw milk from dairy silos

The US Department of Agriculture will begin testing raw milk from dairy silos around the nation in an effort to better track the H5N1 bird flu that has been spreading in dairy cattle since March. The agency announced the expanded testing of the milk supply in a new federal order issued on Friday. The new order requires the sharing of raw milk samples, upon request, from dairy farms, bulk milk shippers, milk transfer stations or dairy processing facilities that send or hold milk for pasteurization. It also requires that herd owners with cattle that test positive for bird flu provide information that enables contact tracing and disease surveillance. The first round of testing is scheduled to begin the week of December 16, though some states have already started testing that complies with these requirements, the USDA noted. Six states will be included in the first round of testing: California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania.