Tag Archives: Midwest U.S.

Chicken and Turkey Farmers Prepare for Return of Bird Flu This Fall

Another round of bird flu could be on the way due to the annual fall migration of wild birds.

The avian flu affected 48.8 million poultry in 21 states this spring. Iowa and Minnesota were hit the hardest by the outbreak. Minnesota alone saw $600 million in losses as the virus spread to over 100 farms in the state.

Many believe that migrating ducks and geese are what carried the bird flu into the United States, but thousands of droppings have been tested and so far, the results have come up negative. Others blame lapses in biosecurity and other farmers blame the wind.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated that the situation could have been handled better.

“We understand there are issues involving biosecurity, there are issues involving depopulation, there are issues involving disposal, there are issues involving indemnification, and the time for repopulation,” Vilsack said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has since issued a 57-page plan for this fall that reportedly can handle twice as many infections. The USDA is also hoping to stockpile the vaccine that will reduce the amount of virus created from an outbreak, but it won’t fully protect the birds.

The scare of another bird flu outbreak has also started a controversy on how to dispose of birds who are infected with the virus. U.S. agriculture officials have approved a new method that would entail trapping infected poultry in a sealed atmosphere, turning up the heat, and shutting off all ventilation. Animals rights groups immediately responded, stating that this method was cruel.

“We shouldn’t compound the problems for birds by subjecting them to a particularly miserable and protracted means of euthanasia,” said Michael Blackwell, the Humane Society’s chief veterinary officer.

U.S. agriculture officials state that this method isn’t the first choice as it can take 30 to 40 minutes for the birds to die of heat stress.

Almost 50 Million Americans Under Tornado Threat Monday

The National Weather Service says that Monday could bring afternoons and evenings of severe weather to almost 50 million Americans.

The predictions for heavy rain, damaging winds and lightning stretches from the deep south through Wisconsin.

The storms struck some parts of the Midwest early Monday as Chicago’s O’Hare airport had to close for a short period during the morning rush hour.  Additional storms are expected through the evening at O’Hare.

Weather Channel lead forecaster Kevin Roth said “quite a few states” will be affected and that while many will not see a tornado, severe thunderstorms with damaging winds could be a distinct possibility.

Straight-line wind damage was seen in Belleville, Wisconsin where a home weather station reported a 74 m.p.h. gust.  At least one roof was taken off a home in that town.  WE Energies reported 30,000 customers without power in the region.

All weather experts reviewed for this story urge anyone who receives a weather warning tonight or tomorrow to seek shelter immediately as the storms are very dangerous.

Texas Stores Limit Egg Sales

A chain of grocery stores in Texas is telling their customers they can only purchase a limited amount of eggs because of the bird flu impacting the nation’s egg supply.

H-E-B stores has posted signs saying that customers are limited to three cartons of eggs.  There is no limit on the size of the cartons, just the number of cartons.

The restriction is also in place at H-E-B’s affiliated Central Market stores.

“The avian flu this year has impacted a significant portion of the egg laying population in the United States (over 30 million birds),” company officials said in a statement. “This temporary constriction in the US market has caused an increase in price and shortage in availability of eggs.”

The announcement by H-E-B is on the heels of restaurant chain Whataburger announcing they were reducing their breakfast hours because of the number of egg based dishes on their menu.

More Texas Flooding; Death Toll Climbs

The Brazos River in Texas is continuing to swell, driving more families out of their homes with local officials saying that it might not crest until Friday at the earliest.

Parker County Judge Mark Riley ordered a community of RVs and trailers along the river to be evacuated after predictions the river could rise another nine feet before cresting.  Other low-lying neighborhoods in the areas around the river were also placed under mandatory evacuation.

The National Weather Service reports thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes are possible throughout the flooded regions on Thursday.  Meteorologist Steve Goss said the storms will be “intense and slow moving.”

The town of Wharton, around 8,000 residents, is being evacuated along the Colorado River due to fears of a massive rise over the banks.  Flood stage is 39 feet, with the river already at 36 feet.  Predictions of a 46 foot crest on Friday night would not only flood the homes along the river but also wash away a school.

Houston continues to be hammered by flooding.  Another victim of the flood, a 73-year-old woman, was identified Wednesday.  The San Jacinto River was three feet over flood stage and officials say that some subdivisions could be cut off for up to a week because of flood waters.

The death toll in the U.S. is now at 21 people.

The storms on Wednesday left three workers at a gas drilling rig in the Texas Panhandle wounded when a tornado destroyed the rig.

Post Holdings Losing 35 Percent Of Eggs To Avian Flu

Post Holdings announced that a third company-owned chicken farm in Nebraska has been infected with avian flu.  The infection means that the company has lost 35 percent of their egg crop.

The company, which makes Raisin Bran and other well known cereals, said they are still working on the financial impact of the major loss.  The loss is so significant that the situation is being declared a “force majeure event” that will allow the company to get out contract obligations for egg deliveries because of an event out of their control.

The outbreak continues to spread throughout the midwest.  Nebraska Department of Agriculture officials confirmed another poultry farm infected with over 3 million hens in Knox County. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety said three more turkey flocks have been infected with the flu.  Iowa’s Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reported one new infection in a county with three other outbreaks.

The outbreak has caused at least one tradition to be suspended.  The Indiana Board of Animal Health has said that all bird shows at county fairs and the state fair will be prohibited until the outbreak ends.

“We are very concerned about bird health,” said Denise Derrer, a spokeswoman for the Indiana Board of Animal Health. “This decision wasn’t done lightly, and it wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction to a single backyard flock.”

The total number of deaths from the virus has been 40 million birds.

Two Killed In Midwest Tornado Outbreak

Tornadoes ripped through the Midwest Thursday leaving two women dead in the small Illinois town of Fairdale.

Geradine Schultz, 67, and Jacqueline Klosa, 69, were confirmed as fatalities by Governor Bruce Rauner.

Rockford Fire Department division chief Matthew Knott told NBC Chicago the town was “absolutely devastated” by the tornado.  Knott said of the 75 homes in the town, 17 were completely destroyed and no home was spared significant damage.

At least seventeen tornadoes were confirmed in the outbreak and weather officials are investigating others.  One tornado left a 22-mile path through Ogle County according to disaster management coordinator Tom Richter.

That twister destroyed the home of Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle.  Fortunately, the sheriff’s family was out of town at the time of the storm.

One of the places heavily damaged by the storm was a small family-owned farm and zoo in Belvidere.  The Sommerfield Zoo lost two emus and a fawn.    Sheds, barns and other structures were destroyed including a $20,000 set of fencing.

“It’s amazing that’s all we lost. We’re very fortunate,” owner Tammy Anderson told the Chicago Tribune. “We’re just overwhelmed. I’m not sure where to start.”

Earthquake Strikes Along New Madrid Fault

The U.S. Geological Survey has confirmed a magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck Wednesday night along the New Madrid Fault near Steele, Missouri.

The quake was reportedly felt in more than six states.

No major damage was reported in the region.  Several businesses reported items being shaken off shelves and homeowners reported pictures had fallen off walls.

Several police departments in the region confirmed their computer monitors began shaking during the quake.

The New Madrid fault is the most seismically active zone east of the Rocky Mountains.  The New Madrid Fault reaches from St. Louis to Memphis.

Storms Threaten Christmas Travel

A series of storms across the nation are threatening to make Christmas travel a mess.  Thunderstorms across the south, rain in in the east and snowstorms around the Great Lakes could bring serious flight delays and dangerous road conditions.

Up to three inches of snow is predicted for the areas around Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway International airports.  Delays and cancellations at two of the nation’s biggest Midwest airports would have repercussions throughout the country.

“I’d be nervous about the possibility of not being able to get out,” Chicago area meteorologist Charles Mott told the Associated Press. “I would definitely make plans about possibly staying put or doing something else.”

Over 4.2 million travelers are expected to go through the Chicago airports during the Christmas season.

Storms across the Rockies caused blowing snow that blocked major highways and even Hawaii is feeling the winter punch as a blizzard warning was issued for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island.  While snow is common, a blizzard is considered unusual by meteorologists.

Anti-Christianists Attack Christians In Billboard Campaign

A hostile anti-Christian organization is aiming a hate campaign toward Christians in the southern part of the U.S.

American Atheists is buying billboards across the south with a picture of a devious looking child and a message that says “Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is to skip church!  I’m too old for fairy tales.”

The hostile group is pushing their agenda against Christians.

“Even children know churches spew absurdity, which is why they don’t want to attend services. Enjoy the time with your family and friends instead,” said American Atheists President David Silverman. “Today’s adults have no obligation to pretend to believe the lies their parents believed. It’s OK to admit that your parents were wrong about God, and it’s definitely OK to tell your children the truth.”

The group placed billboards in Memphis and Nashville, TN, St. Louis, MO, Fort Smith, AR and a local group in Milwaukee sponsored their city.

Billboard providers in Jackson, MS refused to sell space to the anti-Christian group.

Major Food Recalls Due To Listeria Hit Midwest

If you purchased walnuts, hummus or dips in Missouri or Illinois between March and May 2014, you need to check some packaging.

Sherman Produce has announced an immediate recall of “Schnucks brand 10-ounce trays of walnuts” with the UPC code 00338390032 because the product could be contaminated with listeria.  The USDA detected listeria in walnuts that were sampled at the production facility.

Consumers are used to throw them away immediately or seek a refund.

Hot Mama’s Foods has recalled almost 15,000 pounds of hummus and dip products because of Listeria.   The items were sold at Target, Trader Joe’s and other retailers.

The listeria was discovered during a routine test by the Texas Department of Health.  Customers are advised not to eat the recalled products and return them to the place of purchase for a refund.  Customers can also call 1-877-550-0694 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.