UVM Researchers Engage New England Dairy Sector for Livestock Disease Prevention

-Dairy producers and industry allies are invited to a March 27, 2025 interactive workshop to weigh in on the feasibility of a regional milkshed protection zone.-

While bird flu (H5N1) outbreaks are affecting dairy herds in the Midwest and western United States (U.S.), a team of researchers at the University of Vermont (UVM) is focused on the impacts of foreign animal disease outbreaks on regional dairy production in the "New England milkshed.” The milkshed is defined by all sources of milk processed or manufactured into dairy products within New England, including farms in eastern New York state that ship milk into the region.

Dr. Julie Smith, veterinarian and research professor in the UVM Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, is leading a “regionalization” project that will collaborate with dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives, veterinarians, and federal and state regulatory officials. The goal is to define the boundaries for the milkshed that could reduce the risks of disease spread from livestock and dairy product movements.

New England milkshed producers and industry allies are invited to a one-day, interactive workshop during March 2025, to determine the feasibility and workability of establishing a regional protection zone as a foreign animal disease response strategy. At the end of the day, participants will weigh in on their willingness to see a regionalization plan move forward and develop recommendations for action.

• Event – Drawing the Line in the New England Milkshed: Regional Zoning for Dairy Industry Preparedness workshop.
• Date and time – March 27, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST.
• Location – Online Zoom meeting.
• Register at – https:/go.uvm.edu/register-regional-zoning-workshop
• New England dairy producers in the milkshed who attend the workshop will be eligible for a stipend.