Economic impact of aMPV on Iowa’s turkey industry
In 2024, Iowa experienced the loss of 260,800 turkeys due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Additionally, the Iowa Turkey Federation (ITF) estimates that 56,700 turkey losses were attributable to avian metapneumovirus (aMPV). It is important to note that there is no financial compensation from the government for losses associated with aMPV.
The 2024 losses attributed to aMPV alone resulted in an estimated income reduction exceeding $18 million for Iowa turkey producers. Furthermore, processing plant employees are experiencing reduced earnings due to temporary closures caused by the limited availability of turkeys for processing. Consequently, millions of pounds of protein are lost on a weekly basis. Flocks affected by aMPV also suffer significant economic losses due to secondary bacterial infections, further compounding the financial impact.
Summary: Each week, rural Iowa incurs losses exceeding $400,000 in personal income and approximately 2 million pounds of turkey products as a result of the aMPV outbreak.
