712 Digital Group - top

Bird flu virus is abundant in the milk of sick cows

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Ames, Iowa/via Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Dairy cattle infected by avian influenza in recent months have surprisingly large amounts of the virus in their milk but little in other bodily fluids, according to tests by the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. That makes it easy to confirm whether a lactating cow is infected but makes testing more difficult for other cattle as federal agriculture officials attempt to learn the extent of bovine infections across the nation.

In nasal secretions, blood, feces and urine, “we can find an occasional positive, but those positives are at levels that are almost undetectable,” said Dr. Drew Magstadt, a cattle disease researcher at the Ames lab. His comments were part of an online ISU Extension and Outreach discussion about the virus on Wednesday.

Magstadt discovered about six weeks ago that highly pathogenic avian influenza was the source of a mystery illness among dairy cattle in Texas. It had never been known to infect cattle in the United States before. Since then, the virus has been detected in herds in eight other states, most recently in Colorado. That spread has been caused by the movement of dairy cows from infected herds to previously unaffected herds.

Genetic testing revealed that wild birds initially infected cattle with the virus, but the USDA has found evidence that it has since spread from cow to cow and from cattle to poultry. At least one infected dairy cow had no symptoms of illness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced last week that fragments of the virus have been detected in the nation’s commercial milk supply even though milk from sick cows is barred from distribution. On Wednesday, it said testing has confirmed that pasteurization — a process of heating milk to kill pathogens — inactivates the virus.

Tests of milk, cottage cheese and sour cream “did not detect any live, infectious virus,” the FDA said. FDA strongly warned against drinking raw milk. Some states, including Iowa, have sought in recent years to expand the unpasteurized milk’s availability for purchase. Also on Wednesday, the USDA said tests of ground beef in states where the virus has been detected showed no evidence of the virus. Dairy cattle are often slaughtered for their meat when their milk production drops.

The ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory tests samples from animals for viruses such as avian influenza. (Photo courtesy of Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory)

Starting this week, the department requires most lactating dairy cattle to test negative for the virus before they can be transported to different states. Iowa will require labs to report all confirmations of the virus regardless of the animal species, said Dr. Jeff Kaisand, the state veterinarian and a bureau chief for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. For now, IDALS will not quarantine dairy farms if their cattle are infected, Kaisand said. Most states have taken a similar approach.

Dr. Yuko Sato, an ISU professor who has researched the virus in poultry, said dairy farmers should take more precautions than what might be required by government officials. She said a bird flu outbreak in 2015 was largely driven by farm-to-farm spread that was the result of insufficient biosecurity measures. About 33 million poultry were culled in Iowa that year. “We waited for the federal government to give us guidance, so we kind of sat on our hands a little bit,” she said. “I encourage the dairy industry to take a proactive stance and try to look at creative solutions, because we’re learning as we speak.”

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is often lethal to poultry — especially chickens — but infected cows usually recover in 10 to 14 days.

Reynolds says if pro-Palestinian protests cross the line in Iowa, law enforcement is ready

News

May 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says unlawful activity will not be tolerated during the three days of pro-Palestinian demonstrations planned on the University of Iowa campus. The group sponsoring the gatherings does not plan an encampment, but is calling for people to gather on the lawn around the Old Capitol Building from noon until 7 p.m. today (Friday) as well as Saturday and Sunday to call for an end to the war in Gaza. Governor Kim Reynolds says people have a first amendment right to protest.

“But they’re going to do it peacefully,” Reynolds said. “We’re not going to allow hate speech. We’re not going to allow destruction. We’re not going to allow what we see happening in some of the universities across this country. It’s ridiculous. It’s putting people at risk.” Reynolds was asked about pro-Palestinian protests in Iowa during a news conference in her statehouse office and she indicated law enforcement is prepared to respond, if needed.

“We’re going to be respectful and as long as they abide by the laws and do it peacefully, then great,” Reynolds said, “but if it crosses that line, we will be ready.” Reynolds cites a law passed in 2021 that increased the penalties for protest-related crimes like rioting, vandalism or blocking a highway. Reynolds says Columbia University officials in New York let the situation there go way too far, putting the entire student body at risk.  “There are students that paid tuition that may not even get to participate in a graduation,” Reynolds says, “and, oh by the way, these are the same students who didn’t get to participate in their high school graduation due to COVID.”

Iowa City’s “Students for Justice in Palestine” group is made up of students, faculty, staff and others in the community according to its online mission statement. The group says from sit-ins to educational sessions, it strives to support the liberation of Palestinians and all oppressed people across the world.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Friday, May 3rd, 2024

Weather

May 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 71. SE/S-SE winds @ 10-20.
Tonight: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm developing late. Low around 48. SE @ 10-20.
Tomorrow: Showers & possible thunderstorms; Gradually becoming mostly sunny. High near 64. N @ 15-25.
Tom. Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Sunday: Mostly sunny w/only a 20% chance of showers after 1pm. High near 69.
Sunday Night: A slight chance of showers & thunderstorms. Low around 52.
Monday: Windy w/a 70% chance of showers & thunderstorms. High near 75.

Thursday’s High temperature in Atlantic was 62. Our Low this morning was 37. We received .04″ rain Thursday (after 7-a.m.), in Atlantic. Last year on this date, the High was 73 and the Low was 29. The Record High set on May 3rd in Atlantic was 87 in 1895, 1949 & 1968. The Record Low was 25 in 1900. Sunrise: 6:14. Sunset: 8:19.

CAM Cougar Boys Golf Season Update with Coach Joe Wollum

Sports

May 2nd, 2024 by admin

The CAM Cougars boys golf team has a good season so far. The Cougars are coming off a first place finish at their last golf meet at West Central Valley with a low score of 187. CAM junior Chase Jahde was the medalist with a low score of 38.

Coach Wollum had high praises for the way junior golfer Chase Jahde’s has played this year.

CAM junior golfer Coby Venteicher has made some big improvements from last year.

The Cougars golf team knows they have a good shot at qualifying individuals for state.

Coach Wollum commented on what the team can expect at the Class 1A Sectional at Mount Ayr next Wednesday.

The next Cougars boys golf meet will be on Monday May 6th for the Rolling Valley Conference meet at Carroll Country Club. That meet will get underway at 9:00 a.m.

CAM Cougar Girls Golf Season Update with Coach Joe Wollum

Sports

May 2nd, 2024 by admin

The CAM Cougars girls golf team had a couple of their golf meets impacted by the weather this week. The Cougars most recent meet was last week when they went to West Central Valley. Even though the CAM girls didn’t place in that meet sophomore Kaitlyn Platt was the medalist shooting a low score of 59.

Coach Wollum commented on how well his team did at West Central Valley.

The Cougars golf team has been proving their desire to improve their golf game throughout the rest of the year.

Coach Wollum has been emphasizing in practice to the girls on how to deal with the wind at the golf meets for the rest of the year.

Even though the season is winding down, coach Wollum is looking forward to seeing the improvements of the team for rest of the season.

The next CAM girls golf meet will be Friday May 3rd when they will take on West Central Valley, Des Moines Christian and Southeast Warren in a quadrangular meet in Menlo. That meet will start at 4:00 p.m.

Notice of election equipment public testing in Montgomery County

News

May 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna, Thursday, issued a statement saying, ” Pursuant IA Code 52.35 Public Notice is hereby given that Election Equipment Public Testing for the Montgomery County Primary Election will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 8:30 A.M., at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Red Oak.

The Montgomery County Primary Election will be held on June 4, 2024.”

Iowa Congressman Feenstra treated for blood clot in his leg

News

May 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Earlier today Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra had surgery to treat a blood clot in his leg.

According to a statement posted on social media, Feenstra had “a scheduled, outpatient surgery that successfully treated a blood clot in his leg.” The statement indicates Feenstra’s doctor has recommended that Feenstra stay in Washington and limit his travel until he’s fully recovered.

Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) (official photo)

Feenstra, who is 55, was a state senator for 12 years before winning a seat in the U.S. House in 2020.

Iowa hosts Northwestern in B1G baseball series beginning Friday night

Sports

May 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Iowa Hawkeyes host their final Big Ten series of the season beginning Friday night against Northwestern. Iowa is 10-8 and currently saixth in the league race and the top eight teams qualify for the Big Ten Tournament. The Wildcats are at the bottom of the conference standings with a 2-13 record under first year coach Ben Greenspan.

That’s Iowa coach Rick Heller who says the Hawkeyes won’t take Northwestern lightly.

Heller says recent history shows this will be a competitive series.

UNI softball opens MVC series at Valparaiso on Friday

Sports

May 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The UNI softball team closes out the regular season with a three game Missouriu Valley Conference series against Valparaiso beginning Friday afternoon. At 16-5 the Panthers are second in the Valley race and will need help to pass conference leader Southern Illinois.

That’s UNI coach Ryan Jacobs. A factor in the league race may be the games that were not played. The Panthers were scheduled to host Indiana State back in March, but the entire series was cancelled due to weather.

Former Iowa State star Bridget Carleton previews the upcoming WNBA season with Minnesota

Sports

May 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Former Iowa State star Bridget Carleton is getting ready for her sixth season in the WNBA with the Minnesota Lynx. Carleton appeared in 38 games a year ago and averaged just over four points per game. She is coming of a successful season overseas in Hungary.

Carleton played for the Canadian National Team that took part in an Olympic qualifying tournament in February and is expected to be part of the team that will compete in the Paris Olympics.

The WNBA will take a month-long break for the Olympics.

An influx of talented rookies is bringing added interest into the upcoming season.

The Lynx open their preseason schedule on Friday night by hosting the Chicago Sky.