FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — A popular spot at the Minnesota State Fair that features an array of baby farm animals and their moms will go on this year, but without birthing cows as fears of bird flu create worry within the dairy cattle industry.
Most of the livestock shows and exhibitions will happen as usual, but some changes are needed to minimize the potential spread of the H5N1 virus, also known as bird flu. One of those changes is prohibiting dairy cows from giving live birth in the CHS Miracle of Birth Center.
The move is a precaution as bird flu continues to spread to mammals, including dairy cattle.
The Miracles of Birth exhibit will continue to showcase dairy cow-calf pairs, but calves will be weaned and adult cows won't be lactating, said Kelly Andrews, executive director of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, one of the exhibit’s organizers.
The decision came as the University of Minnesota’s Extension and College of Veterinary Medicine released a report discouraging fair organizers from holding in-person lactating dairy cow exhibitions out of fear of further spread of H5N1.
The Minnesota Board of Animal Health this summer required that dairy cattle be tested before they can be shown at county fairs. Some fairs went a step further and canceled exhibitions for lactating cattle or switched to virtual shows.
H5N1 infections have been reported among nine dairy herds in Minnesota since June. Industry observers said the statewide tally is likely an undercount because testing is not mandatory.
The U.S. outbreak in dairy cows is prompting development of new, next-generation mRNA vaccines — akin to COVID-19 shots — that are being tested in both animals and people.
To see a full description of changes being made at the Miracles of Birth Center, click here.