Feenstra Helps Lead Letter Urging USDA Farm Service Agency to Deliver Relief to Iowa’s Turkey Farmers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) helped lead a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and the Acting Administrator of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Kimberly Graham urging the FSA to authorize avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) as an adverse event under the Livestock Indemnity Program so that Iowa turkey farmers can secure financial relief from this animal health crisis.
Since its identification in the fall of 2023, Iowa turkey farmers have reported flock losses from 30-50% due to aMPV, threatening producer stability and the broader national turkey supply. As USDA works to approve and expedite the use of vaccines to respond to the virus, turkey farmers continue to face losses without any meaningful farm safety net. The Livestock Indemnity Program offers financial compensation to livestock owners and contract growers who suffer significant livestock losses beyond normal mortality levels due to eligible adverse events.
“Avian metapneumovirus is hurting Iowa’s turkey farmers and leaving turkey operations less profitable and more volatile. As the seventh largest turkey-producing state in the nation, we need to help our turkey farmers combat this devastating disease and get the relief that they need to keep family traditions alive and survive this downturn in production,” said Rep. Feenstra. “I’m glad to work with my Iowa colleagues to urge Secretary Rollins and the Farm Service Agency to deliver immediate relief to our turkey farmers through the Livestock Indemnity Program. Turkey farming is vital to our economy, and it’s why I invited turkey farmers from Calhoun County to President Trump’s joint address to Congress to elevate critical issues impacting our producers. I’ll keep working to pass the Farm Bill, invest in foreign animal disease prevention and response, and support our turkey farmers.”
In their letter,the lawmakers note that “Iowa’s sharp decline in turkey production is reflective of the national turkey industry at large. Despite devastating financial shortfalls and supply chain disruptions caused by aMPV, there are currently no federal assistance programs available to offset these devastating losses, leaving many family-owned operations at risk of closure. Without immediate support, the viability of these farms—and the stability of the U.S. turkey industry—is in jeopardy.”
“To mitigate these losses and prevent future outbreaks, we urge the USDA Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA) to consider determining aMPV as an eligible adverse event under the Livestock Indemnity Program so that our farmers can access much-needed financial relief to affected producers,” the lawmakers add.
The full letter can be found HERE.
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