1. House Advances 5-Year Farm Bill as Ag Groups Weigh In [edited]
By Curt Bennink
Successful Farming.
April 30, 2026
In a bipartisan move, one step closer to a new five-year farm bill, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, by a 224-200 vote on April 30,2026. Industry organizations have been quick to respond.
American Farm Bureau Federation
"Farmers and ranchers applaud the House of Representatives for passing a new, modernized farm bill," said Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. "We appreciate Chairman GT Thompson's leadership to get this done. After three years of extensions and eight
years since a farm bill was passed, we're grateful the House found a bipartisan path forward. Important updates to research and conservation, as well as increased loan limits and clarity on interstate commerce, will help farmers survive today's challenges and give them the tools to thrive in the future."
"We urge the Senate to follow the House's lead and move this important bipartisan legislation forward," Duvall said. "Food security is national security, and investing in America's farmers and ranchers is an investment in America's families. We all benefit from a reliable and affordable food supply."
Full text: https://www.agriculture.com/house-advances-5-year-farm-bill-as-ag-groups-weigh-in-11962934
2. Valerie Ragan honored with emerita status [VA - edited]
By Virginia Tech News
May 1, 2026
Valerie Ragan, professor of practice of veterinary medicine in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, has been conferred the title of professor of practice emerita by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The emerita title may be conferred on retired faculty members who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.
A member of the Virginia Tech community for more than 11 years, Ragan has made significant contributions and is recognized internationally as an expert on the globally important zoonotic disease brucellosis, and has lectured or worked on the disease in seven countries while affiliated with the university.
In 2017, she was awarded the American Veterinary Medical Association's Public Service Award, which honors a member veterinarian for long-term outstanding public service or unusual contributions to the practice or science of public health and regulatory veterinary medicine. In 2025, Ragan received the United States Animal Health Association's Medal of Distinction, the organization's highest honor for outstanding leadership and contributions to the field.
Full text: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/05/vetmed-emerita-ragan.html
3. First Case of New World Screwworm Detected in Coahuila, Mexico
The Texas Department of Agriculture confirmed a New World Screwworm case about 119 miles from the Texas border, near Zapata, Texas, and north and west of the Rio Grande Valley.
By Marion Kirkpatrick
RFD TV
May 1, 2026
AUSTIN, TEXAS (RFD NEWS) - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is warning producers to stay alert after the first confirmed detection of New World screwworm in the Mexican state of Coahuila, bringing the pest closer to the U.S. border.
According to the Texas Department of Agriculture, the detection was confirmed roughly 119 miles from the Texas border, placing it near the same latitude as Zapata, Texas, and north and west of the Rio Grande Valley.
Full text: https://www.rfdtv.com/first-case-of-new-world-screwworm-detected-in-coahuila-mexico
4. Avian flu detections drop across the US
By Stephanie Soucheray, MA
CIDRAP News
April 30, 2026
Avian flu detections among both commercial poultry and wild birds have dropped significantly this past week, per the latest updates from the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Only one new poultry detection was reported this week, in Meade County, South Dakota, affecting 60 birds. This is the ninth facility in either North or South Dakota to be hit with H5N1 in April.
In the past 30 days, APHIS has tracked avian flu in 15 commercial flocks and eight backyard flocks across the country, with 660,000 birds affected. So far this year, February was the most active month for avian flu, with 11.41 million poultry affected.
In wild-bird infections, gulls in San Diego County, California, and a bald eagle in Clay County, Florida, are among the 12 detections recorded by APHIS in the past week.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/avian-flu-detections-drop-across-us
5. Baldwin Introduces Bill to Combat Wildlife Disease Outbreaks
Bill comes as avian flu has killed 11 million birds in Wisconsin since 2022
By U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin
UrbanMilwaukee.com
April 30, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced legislation to prevent transmission of wildlife diseases like avian flu and chronic wasting disease between wildlife, livestock, and humans. The Wildlife Health Coordination and Zoonotic Disease Prevention Act increases interagency coordination, facilitates information sharing, improves coordination between states, and furthers sharing of best practices for managing wildlife and zoonotic disease outbreaks.
"Wisconsin farmers have dealt with the devastating fallout of avian flu and chronic wasting disease for far too long," said Senator Baldwin. "These diseases don't just threaten our deer herds and poultry flocks - they put our food supply, our rural economy, and public health at risk. That's why I am introducing this bill to ensure that our state has the tools it needs to monitor and manage outbreaks, support our farmers, and protect our rural communities."
Since March 2022, Wisconsin has lost 11.6 million birds across 50 commercial and backyard flocks due to outbreaks of avian influenza. Between late February and March of this year, Wisconsin experienced three major avian flu outbreaks in commercial poultry flocks, affecting more than 4.3 million egg-laying hens. As a result, two Wisconsin farms were forced to temporarily lay off more than 80 employees. Chronic Wasting Disease also remains an increasing concern in Wisconsin. Chronic Wasting Disease has been detected in both captive and wild animals in most Wisconsin counties since its original incursion, and, in 2025, it was detected in wild deer populations across 51 Wisconsin counties.
6. Manitoba Horse Tests Positive for EIA; Two Connecticut Horses Test Positive for Strangles
Manitoba Horse Tests Positive for EIA
EDCC Health Watch
Equus Magazine
May 1, 2026
On April 30, one horse in Minitonas-Bowsman, Manitoba, tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA). The horse had been tested at the owner's request to fulfill an export requirement. It was not showing clinical signs at the time of sampling.
Movement controls have been placed on the infected horse and exposed animals. Initial reports indicate there are several other equines on the affected premises.
Full text: https://equusmagazine.com/news/edcc-health-watch/manitoba-horse-tests-positive-for-eia
Two Connecticut Horses Test Positive for Strangles
EDCC Health Watch
TheHorse.com
May 1, 2026
Two horses at a private facility in Hartford County, Connecticut, have tested positive for strangles. One horse is a 25-year-old Belgian/Percheron cross gelding. He tested positive on April 27 after developing clinical signs on April 23. No details are available on the second horse.
The farm has been placed under quarantine.
Full text: https://thehorse.com/1144168/2-connecticut-horses-test-positive-for-strangles/