13-02-2025
Wendell egg farm takes precautions amid bird flu spike
WENDELL, Mass. (WWLP) – As bird flu infections continue to rise, local farms in Massachusetts have to take extreme measures to protect their flocks.
Rising bird flu cases could threaten local farms in the Pioneer Valley. That's why Diemand Farm has implemented new measures to prevent avian influenza from affecting their flock. We spoke with Diemand Farm Co-Owner Anne Diemand Bucci. Despite having dealt with bird flu before, she says this time is different.
'I am a little nervous. I feel like we're doing everything we can. It's very disconcerting having it be so close, we have protocols to implement which we have done,' said Diemand Bucci.
Those protocols include having limited customers visit the farm. Those who do won't be allowed to tour and must wipe their feet off with disinfectant at the door.
Even with the added cost of making sure everything stays clean egg prices at Diemand Farm have remained mostly the same, only increasing by fifty cents.
Egg prices across the country have not been as fortunate, with large shell eggs in California averaging nine dollars and eleven cents per dozen according to a report from the USDA. Another recent added cost for Diemand Farm is a new disinfectant recommended by MDAR. Tessa White-Diemand said these added costs are ultimately worth it.
'It's definitely been more of a strain and a stressor for us. However, it's something that we're all willing to do because if we want this farm to continue and all of our birds and whatnot to be healthy, we need to take these steps. Even though it takes more time and it's kind of pain in the butt, it's worth it,' said White-Diemand.
While bird flu cases have been mostly stagnant in Massachusetts, another human case was confirmed in Nevada on Monday.
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