Avian Influenza H5N1 outbreak: impact on U.S. turkey industry

The grim toll on commercial turkeys

While wild turkeys have flourished, the commercial turkey industry has faced a different fate. The HPAI outbreak has hit turkey flocks hard. Here are the key points:

• Number of affected flocks: A total of 340 U.S. commercial turkey flocks have been affected during the past three years. Of these, 305 were meat turkey flocks, 25 were turkey breeder hen flocks, and four were turkey breeder replacement hen flocks.
• Bird losses: Approximately 14.7 million turkeys have been lost due to HPAI. Most of these losses (13.98 million) were meat turkeys, while breeder hens and replacement hens accounted for the rest.
• Comparison with other poultry types: Turkey flocks have borne the brunt of the outbreak. By comparison, the egg industry lost 57 flocks, the broiler industry lost 43 flocks, and the duck industry lost 24 flocks.
• Monthly trends: The majority of turkey flock losses occurred in 2024, with 185 flocks affected. In 2023, 91 flocks were lost, and during the first seven months of 2024, 30 flocks were affected.
• Overall impact: U.S. turkey losses represent about 14.67 percent of the total commercial poultry losses during this period.

Looking ahead

The battle against HPAI continues, and poultry producers are closely monitoring cases. While the wild turkey success story is heartening, the commercial industry faces ongoing challenges. As the outbreak persists, efforts to control the virus remain critical. The impact on the turkey supply chain underscores the need for vigilance and biosecurity measures.

In summary, the HPAI outbreak has reshaped the landscape for both wild and commercial turkeys in the United States. While wild turkeys thrive, commercial flocks grapple with losses, emphasizing the delicate balance between wildlife conservation and poultry production.