Recently an article was written by the Deseret News titled From hoops to Highland cows: The unusual origin story of Golden Hour Farm highlights one of Utah’s cattle farms. Owned and operated by the Butterfield Family of Hyrum.

Read the full article, by clicking here.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) has confirmed an additional four cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) this month, including one small backyard poultry flock in Salt Lake County and three closely related commercial turkey facilities in Piute County. Currently, five poultry farms in the state remain under quarantine.

Between November 10 to 19, 2024, three turkey farms in Piute County totaling 107,800 turkeys and one backyard flock of 253 birds in Salt Lake County were confirmed positive for HPAI; the strains for each outbreak are currently undergoing sequencing. Though the overall risk to public health remains low, HPAI is a serious disease, requiring rapid response, including depopulation of affected flocks as it is highly contagious and fatal to poultry. Affected birds were depopulated within 24 hours of diagnosis at each site to limit further disease spread. Overall impacts to the food supply are anticipated to be limited at this time.

When animal health events that require depopulation occur, UDAF consults with the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on appropriate disposal to ensure there are no threats to environmental, animal, or public health. Disposal of affected poultry and contaminated materials for the recent Piute County outbreak will take place through on-site burial. This disposal method and site was determined to be acceptable based on criteria provided by the DEQ to ensure no impact to groundwater or other environmental concerns. As additional safety measures, all equipment leaving the site will be disinfected and all personnel are required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce the risk of infection and avoid moving the virus off the site. State and federal personnel are on-site to ensure all requirements for disinfection and proper disposal are followed.

Poultry owners should practice strong biosecurity and monitor flocks for signs of illness and report any sick birds immediately to the State Veterinarian’s Office at [email protected]. Individuals who work in close contact with infected animals may be at higher risk for contracting HPAI/H5N1 and should take precautions including using recommended personal protective equipment. For more information on the current status of HPAI in poultry visit: https://ag.utah.gov/poultry-hpai

Officials with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) confirmed  highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in 8 commercial dairy facilities in Cache County. Mandatory surveillance of HPAI was put into effect for all dairies in Cache County on October 23, 2024. Initial samples from all Cache County dairies were sent to the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Logan and were confirmed by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL). Positive dairies have been placed under a quarantine; no movement of lactating cattle is permitted on or off affected facilities with the exception of cattle going direct to slaughter. Positive dairies have also been asked to implement biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of virus off of the dairy.

“Enacting mandatory surveillance and animal movement restrictions are important steps in preventing the further spread of this disease. At this time we don’t anticipate any major impacts on the food supply and the overall impacts to individual dairies are relatively minimal. This disease is not as harmful to dairy cattle as it is to poultry.”  — State Veterinarian Dr. Daniel Christensen.

UDAF is working closely with dairy producers and federal, state, and local partners on response plans, surveillance, and testing. Dairy and poultry owners should vigilantly watch their herds and flocks for signs of HPAI and practice strong biosecurity measures; funding is available for producer costs for enhancing biosecurity plans. Dairy cattle signs include decreased milk production; thicker, colostrum-like milk; decrease in feed consumption; dehydration; and fever. Most dairy cattle recover within a few weeks. Livestock owners and veterinarians must report signs of HPAi immediately to the State Veterinarian’s Office at [email protected]. It’s important to note that not all dairy cattle will exhibit symptoms and that all dairies should practice good biosecurity measures.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections do not present an immediate public health concern. Individuals who come into regular, prolonged contact with dairy cattle and exhibit symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, eye irritation, and headaches, runny nose, body aches, diarrhea, or vomiting should contact their local health department. The pasteurization of dairy products and proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165° is recommended as a general food safety measure.

Additional Information: 

• State Veterinarian’s Office Contact: [email protected]

• Mandatory Reportable Conditions: https://ag.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/October-2024-Reportable-Disease-List.pdf

• Information about HPAI in dairies, including updates and biosecurity resources:

  • https://ag.utah.gov/dairy-cattle-and-avian-influenza

  • https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock

• Information on HPAI in poultry: https://ag.utah.gov/hpai

• Information on avian influenza in humans: https://epi.utah.gov/bird-flu-in-humans

The Utah’s Own Holiday Shoppes at Millcreek Common returns for the 2024 holiday season with Utah’s Own products from over 40 local farmers and food artisans. Open 7 days/week from 11 am – 9 pm, people can shop local this season at Millcreek’s indoor Public Market.

Utah’s Own Holiday Shoppes at Millcreek Common features a wide variety of Utah’s Own products for every palate: cheeses, sweets, sauces, snacks, and more. Explore the apothecary space for a selection of self-care products, perfect for gifting or treating yourself. Shoppers can buy items to enjoy with their family during the season or build a customized gift box, perfect for memorable presents for neighbors and friends.

“We are excited to continue this partnership and create a vibrant shopping atmosphere where it’s easy to shop local this holiday season,” said Caroline Hargraves, Director of Marketing and Economic Development of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. “When you buy Utah’s Own, you not only bring home exceptional products, but you also support local communities and family-owned small businesses in our own backyard.”
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 “We have an amazing selection of more than 40 local purveyors at the Holiday Shoppes this year,” said Lacy Gill, Business Development Manager at Millcreek. “Supporting local is the key to ensuring our community of producers is thriving and continuing to grow not only this season but for years to come.”

Special Events:

• A Grateful Get Together: Join us Friday, November 15 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, as Millcreek Common opens the Skate Loop for the winter season and brings together 40+ makers in Utah’s Own Holiday Shoppes. Sample flavors from Utah’s Own businesses, leave your mark on the gratitude wall, and find inspiration to set your holiday table. Bring a coat donation for a free ice skating pass.

• Millcreek Tree Lighting: Celebrate the season Saturday, November 30, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM. Ho-ho holiday fun with Santa, a photo booth, cookies, and hot cocoa. Bring home a special keepsake craft project presented by the Millcreek Community Theater. The outdoor tree lighting will begin at 7:30 PM.

• Sinterklaas in the Holiday Shoppes: On Tuesday, December 3, 6:00 – 9:00 PM, join the Dutch Club of Utah to celebrate Sinterklaas, the patron saint of children. In the Netherlands, December 5th is the chief occasion for gift giving during the winter holiday season.

• Winter Solstice Bazaar: Visit us Saturday, December 21 from 5:00 – 9:00 PM and Sunday, December 22 from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM for a gathering of makers and creatives vending handmade wares, holiday gifts, vintage collections, and artisan foods. Last-minute shoppers rejoice and stuff your bags with unique offerings from local vendors.

Starting November 15, ice skating at Millcreek Common will be available daily from 11am to 9pm; hours subject to change for special events and holidays.

Photography of the 2023 Utah’s Own Holiday Shoppes is available here.

             

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Aimee McConkie, Director of Community Life Emily Ashby, Utah’s Own
Public Market at Millcreek Common Utah Dept. of Agriculture & Food

Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Phone: 801-634-8910             Phone: 385-977-7919

About Millcreek Common:

The Public Market at Millcreek Common (1330 E Chambers Avenue) is located on the Millcreek Common campus on the first floor of Millcreek City Hall between Highland Drive and 1300 East on 3300 South. Parking access is via Chambers Avenue, which is just south of Crown Burger on Highland Drive. You can also access parking via Woodland Avenue.

Millcreek Common is a dynamic public space that includes an outdoor Skate Loop, 65’ climbing wall, Splash Pad, Public Market, local restaurants, and private event spaces. Active with year round public events, the Common invites all community members to gather, play, and make memories in the heart of Millcreek.

About Utah’s Own:

Utah’s Own is a program of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food with a mission to promote local agriculture and food businesses, provide business resources, and facilitate networking and sales opportunities for members. Members include farmers, ranchers, specialty food producers, restaurants, and other agricultural and food businesses throughout Utah.

Officials with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) have enacted mandatory surveillance for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in all dairies in Cache County. UDAF inspectors will collect bulk tank samples weekly from all Cache County dairy facilities; at this time Federal funding is available to cover the cost of this testing and there will be no additional cost to producers. In the event of a positive test, the dairy will be placed under a quarantine and no movement of lactating cattle will be permitted on or off the facility with the exception of cows going direct to slaughter.

HPAI is a disease that is highly contagious and often fatal in poultry and can be caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5) and A (H7) viruses. HPAI is often transmitted by wild birds to domestic poultry. In March 2024, HPAI H5N1 was first detected in dairy cattle in Texas and has spread to 14 other states including Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado. Genetic sequencing has confirmed that the HPAI H5N1 virus recently detected in a Cache County commercial poultry facility is the same one that has impacted dairy cattle in other states. Currently, there have been no confirmed cases of HPAI in Utah dairies.

UDAF is working closely with dairy producers in the area, as well as the Utah Department of Health and Human Services and other local, state, and federal partners, on avian influenza response plans, surveillance, and biosecurity protocols. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recent HPAI detections do not present an immediate public health concern. At present, no major impacts to the food supply chain are anticipated. As a reminder, the pasteurization of dairy products and proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F is recommended as a general food safety measure.

Though the risk of HPAI to the general public is low, mild illnesses have only been reported among exposed livestock workers in other states. At present, there have been no confirmed cases of HPAI in humans in Utah. People who have prolonged, regular exposure to poultry or dairy cattle and exhibit symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, eye irritation, headaches, runny nose, body aches, diarrhea, or vomiting should contact their local health department. For more information on avian influenza in humans visit https://epi.utah.gov/bird-flu-in-humans.

Poultry and dairy cattle owners should maintain strong biosecurity plans and vigilantly watch flocks and herds for symptoms of HPAI. Poultry symptoms include high death loss among flocks, nasal discharge, decreased appetite or water consumption, and lack of coordination in birds. Dairy cattle symptoms include decreased milk production; thicker, colostrum-like milk; decrease in feed consumption; dehydration; and fever. Most dairy cattle recover within a few weeks.

Producers should report any signs of illness in poultry or dairy cattle immediately to the State Veterinarian’s Office at [email protected]. UDAF will continue to contact affected producers directly and will post updates to https://ag.utah.gov/dairy-cattle-and-avian-influenza. For producers outside of Cache County interested in participating in voluntary surveillance, email [email protected]. Financial resources are available for dairy producers through USDA APHIS for costs associated with HPAI testing, veterinary expenses, personal protective equipment, milk disposal, and milk losses.

Resources:

• Financial resources for dairy producers: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock/financial-assistance 
• Information about biosecurity, including videos, checklists, and a toolkit: https://ag.utah.gov/hpai/ or https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/defend-the-flock
• Nationwide updates on HPAI in livestock: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock