As highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) continues to impact dairy herds in the Midwest and western U.S., researchers at the University of Vermont (UVM) are evaluating strategies to protect dairy production in the “New England milkshed.” This region includes all farms supplying milk to New England dairy processors, including farms in eastern New York.
Led by Dr. Julie Smith, a veterinarian and research professor in UVM’s Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, the regionalization project aims to define protective boundaries that could mitigate disease spread through livestock and dairy product movements. The initiative involves collaboration with dairy farmers, cooperatives, veterinarians, and regulatory officials.
To explore the feasibility of establishing a regional protection zone, stakeholders are invited to participate in a one-day interactive workshop:
Event: Drawing the Line in the New England Milkshed: Regional Zoning for Dairy Industry Preparedness Date & Time:March 27, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST Location: Online Zoom meeting Registration:https:/go.uvm.edu/register-regional-zoning-workshop
Dairy producers in the milkshed who attend the workshop will be eligible for a stipend.
The workshop will provide an opportunity for industry members to assess the practicality of a regionalization strategy as a response to foreign animal disease outbreaks. Participants will discuss key concerns, provide input on zoning strategies, and contribute to recommendations for action.
In preparation for the workshop, Dr. Smith is leading a series of dairy community meetings to identify communication challenges during disease outbreaks. Insights gathered will help shape an emergency communications framework for the milkshed. Summaries of these discussions can be found at https://go.uvm.edu/milkshed-website.
This initiative aligns with global animal health standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). For more details on the regionalization project, visit https://go.uvm.edu/regional-zoning-website.
