Michigan offers grants to dairies for H5N1 virus research

By Andi Anderson

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has announced a new initiative offering financial assistance to dairy farms impacted by the H5N1 virus.

MDARD Director Tim Boring revealed that the state will offer up to $28,000 in grants to dairies that collaborate with federal and state government agencies to investigate how the virus infiltrated their operations.

"Michigan will offer dairies with H5N1 up to $28,000 to work with federal and state government agencies to investigate how the virus got onto their operations," said Tim Boring, highlighting the strategic collaboration aimed at addressing the virus outbreak.

The research will focus on several critical aspects of H5N1's spread, including potential respiratory transmission among animals and the possibility of prior infection among farm workers.

This funding, drawn from Michigan’s emergency response funds, is designed to support up to 20 farms. The initiative aims to mitigate the immediate impact of the outbreak by compensating for the losses associated with sick animals and covers additional costs incurred as farmers and their staff dedicate time to this crucial scientific research.

"The goal is to help with losses associated with sick animals and to cover the costs of farmers and their staff working with scientists," Boring added, outlining the dual benefits of the grant program.

This support is crucial as it provides the necessary resources for farmers to engage deeply with scientific investigations without bearing the financial burden alone.

This proactive measure by Michigan's agriculture department represents a significant step towards understanding and controlling the spread of H5N1, ensuring that the dairy industry can respond more effectively to such crises.

By funding these research partnerships, Michigan is taking a leadership role in addressing animal health emergencies, which are of paramount importance to the state's agricultural economy and public health.

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