Vermont dairy makes history! It is the First New England state to be declared HPAI-free via 100% farm testing. Market advantage is secured through unprecedented surveillance.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Vermont became the first New England state declared “unaffected” by avian influenza (HPAI) after testing 100% of its 411 Grade A dairy farms, backed by USDA funding. This rigorous approach, combined with a voluntary raw milk cheese testing program, provided bulletproof evidence of herd health, securing consumer trust and market advantages. Collaborative state-federal efforts and proactive surveillance set a new industry standard, demonstrating how exceeding baseline requirements can protect high-value dairy sectors. Vermont’s success highlights the economic and reputational benefits of aggressive disease management while emphasizing ongoing biosecurity to maintain status.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- 100% Testing Wins: Vermont tested all 411 Grade A farms-no sampling errors, no guesswork.
- Niche Market Protection: Voluntary weekly raw milk cheese testing safeguarded a $80M+ artisan sector.
- Federal-State Synergy: USDA funding covered costs; Vermont’s execution created a replicable model.
- Market Edge: “Unaffected” status boosts buyer confidence, prevents trade disruptions.
- Vigilance Required: Wild bird risks demand ongoing testing and biosecurity investments.
Vermont has blown past every other New England state in the fight against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), securing the coveted USDA “unaffected” status for dairy cattle, protecting their markets while others scramble. Their secret weapon wasn’t luck – it was testing EVERY SINGLE ONE of their 411 Grade A dairy farms, creating bulletproof evidence of HPAI-free status. Got milk? Vermont knows theirs is clean. Does your state?
Why Is Your State Still Sampling When Vermont’s 100% Testing Just Rewrote the Rulebook?
Let’s be brutally honest. Most states are settling for statistical sampling or downstream testing that leaves gaping holes in their surveillance. Not Vermont. Their Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) took a radically different approach – hitting the road starting January 2, 2025, to collect bulk tank samples directly from all 411 Grade A dairy farms across the state.
Think about that. While other states are making educated guesses about their HPAI status, Vermont created absolute certainty. No sampling error. No “probably clean” statements. Just rock-solid evidence: “411 farms tested, zero HPAI detections.” When markets are nervous and buyers are skittish about HPAI, which statement would you rather have backing your milk?
Here’s the kicker – federal dollars covered the entire testing program. Vermont’s dairy farmers didn’t pay a dime for this market-protecting gold standard surveillance. So, the question isn’t whether your state can afford this level of testing. The real question is: Why aren’t your ag officials fighting to secure the same federal resources Vermont did?
“This sampling program is a first-of-its-kind system built by a team of Vermonters who wanted to bring peace of mind and protection to our dairy farmers, food processors, and cheese makers,” said E.B. Flory, VAAFM’s Dairy Section Chief. But let’s translate that: Vermont recognized a threat to their dairy industry’s reputation and moved aggressively to neutralize it before markets could punish them.
Raw Deal or Real Protection? How Vermont’s Artisan Cheese Makers Got Ahead of the Curve
This is where Vermont shows they’re playing chess while other states are playing checkers. Beyond the mandatory testing, they created something revolutionary – a weekly sampling program specifically for raw milk cheese producers with 100% voluntary participation.
Why does this matter? Cornell University research shows the HPAI virus could potentially survive the traditional 60-day aging process in some raw milk cheese varieties. No pasteurization means no kill step for the virus. For artisan cheesemakers, a massive vulnerability could devastate their premium markets.
Instead of waiting for a disaster, Vermont created a first-in-the-nation weekly testing system to verify source milk is HPAI-free before it ever touches a cheese vat. Every single Vermont raw milk cheese maker voluntarily joined the program. Every. Single. One.
What’s your state doing for its specialty producers? Are they exposing your high-value artisans or giving them the tools to prove their products’ safety? Vermont’s cheese makers now have scientific proof backing their HPAI-free claims – a powerful market advantage your producers don’t have.
Game, Set, Match: How Vermont Beat Everyone to “Unaffected” Status
Vermont’s achievement didn’t happen by accident – it came from mastering the USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) faster and more thoroughly than competitors. The NMTS has five stages:
- National Plant Silo Monitoring – Testing processor-level milk to identify potential hot spots
- Determining State Status – States implement testing to identify affected herds or prove “unaffected” status
- Detecting and Responding in Affected States – Control measures in affected herds
- Demonstrating H5 Absence in Unaffected States – Continued surveillance to maintain “unaffected” status
- Demonstrating H5 Freedom in U.S. Dairy Cattle – Nationwide freedom from HPAI
Vermont blazed through Stage 2 into Stage 4 by implementing surveillance, obliterating baseline requirements. While industry discussions suggested needing “four rounds of monthly testing” to achieve unaffected status, Vermont’s exhaustive approach created such compelling evidence that they secured the designation after their initial testing round.
The May 9, 2025, declaration making Vermont the first New England state with “unaffected” status wasn’t just a regulatory win – it’s a market protection shield that their neighbors don’t have.
Partnerships That Work: How Vermont Built the Model Others Should Copy
Vermont’s success exposes the weakness in how most states approach federal partnerships. The USDA provided the national strategy (NMTS), testing protocols, and funding that covered all testing costs. But Vermont didn’t just check compliance boxes.
VAAFM officials personally visited all 411 Grade A operations, generating farm-specific data that left zero room for doubt about Vermont’s status. This wasn’t busy work – it was strategic market protection at a scale most states haven’t even attempted.
Is your state ag department fighting as hard for your dairy industry? Or are they meeting minimum requirements while Vermont secures a significant competitive advantage?
The raw milk cheese program further proves Vermont officials understand something fundamental: different dairy sectors need tailored approaches. Rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all surveillance model, they created specialized testing that addressed the unique risks in this high-value segment.
THE BOTTOM LINE: STOP SETTLING FOR MINIMUM STANDARDS
Vermont just threw down the gauntlet to every dairy state in America. Their achievement delivers an uncomfortable truth: comprehensive surveillance isn’t just a regulatory burden – it’s a market opportunity most states are missing. Here’s what you should demand:
Stop Just Meeting Minimums: Vermont proved that exceeding federal baselines with 100% farm testing builds unparalleled market trust. Is your state settling for statistical sampling when bulletproof certainty is available? That’s leaving money on the table.
Target Your High-Value Assets: Got raw milk or other specialized products? Vermont showed how sector-specific, proactive testing programs can protect premium markets from HPAI fears. If your state doesn’t offer targeted surveillance, your specialty producers are unnecessarily vulnerable.
Leverage Federal Dollars for State Excellence: The Feds paid for Vermont’s top-tier program. This isn’t about state budgets; it’s about state leadership having the backbone to secure these resources for producers. Is your state’s ag department fighting as aggressively for federal resources?
Prepare for What’s Next: HPAI remains in wild bird populations and isn’t disappearing. Vermont’s “unaffected” status isn’t the finish line – it’s a competitive advantage requiring continued vigilance and biosecurity. The states that maintain the strongest surveillance will continue winning in the marketplace.
The gap between minimum compliance and market leadership has never been clearer. Vermont chose leadership. What’s your state’s excuse?
Learn more:
- Battle Plan: How to Protect Your Dairy Herd from HPAI – Practical strategies for biosecurity, early detection, and outbreak management to complement Vermont’s surveillance success.
- HPAI H5N1: The 2025 Science-Based Dairy Farm Survival Guide – Explores cutting-edge vaccines, cost-effective biohacks, and federal resources to fortify herds against HPAI risks.
- Bird Flu and Milk: The Unshakeable Science Protecting Your Bulk Tank – Validates pasteurization efficacy and addresses raw milk risks, aligning with Vermont’s raw milk cheese testing innovations.
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