JUNE IS DAIRY MONTH!!
The Vermont dairy industry provides $5.4 Billion in economic activity to the state, plus so much more. To read the full “Vermont Dairy Delivers” report visit: www.vermontdairy.com
Vermont Achieves USDA 'Unaffected' Status in Bird Flu Testing Program
by Scott Waterman, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Vermont dairy farmers have achieved a critical benchmark from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This winter, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets (Agency) began a new USDA mandated milk sampling program. The USDA goal was to proactively identify unknown highly parthenogenic avian influenza (HPAI) infected dairy cattle. The Agency’s additional goal was to test all Vermont Grade A milk directly from each supplying Vermont dairy farm. As of today, the testing had great news for farmers and consumers. The testing has NOT revealed any HPAI infected dairy cattle.
These encouraging results have led to a declaration by the USDA that Vermont is “unaffected” by HPAI in dairy cattle. With this declaration comes confidence that Vermont’s dairy cattle herds are healthy and producing HPAI free milk for the marketplace. Vermont is the first state in New England to achieve this status.
“This is an important moment for Vermont and our dairy industry,” said Anson Tebbetts, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture. “Thank you to our dairy farmers for stepping up and participating. This achievement means that, as always, you can depend on Vermont milk to be nutritious and safe.”
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture has worked closely with dairy farmers across the state to visit each farm in support of this program, totaling 411 farms. Federal resources are covering the cost of the testing program. Farms did not bear any costs of the sampling program.
The USDA milk testing program seeks to identify any currently unknown pockets of the dairy cattle HPAI strain to help eradicate it in the United States, protect animal and human health, and safeguard the food supply from disruptions. Importantly, eliminating this version of the HPAI virus would prevent it from mutating into a strain that could threaten human health.
Another Vermont innovation that has come out of the sampling program is a first-in-the-nation weekly sampling system for raw milk cheese makers. The program samples source farm milk to ensure the milk they utilize to make their award-winning cheeses is HPAI free. This program was created in collaboration with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture. 100% of Vermont’s raw milk cheese makers are voluntarily participating.
“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, Agency’s Dairy Section Chief and Director of Food Safety. “Our dairy cattle are healthy and producing the highest quality milk for market. I want to thank our hardworking team for all the sacrifices they have made and thank our Vermont dairy farmers for working with our team to make this important declaration possible.”
While today’s declaration of an ‘unaffected’ dairy industry is welcome in Vermont, the state has experienced isolated incidents of the avian, or bird flu strain of HPAI, including as recently as December 2024. The Agency wants to help Vermont dairy farms to remain HPAI free and the continued sampling and testing of milk for HPAI in our state will help ensure that any infections are known and properly addressed.
Jessica Waterman of the Agency’s Food Safety and Consumer Inspection Division demonstrates the milk sampling procedure from an on-farm bulk milk tank at the UVM Dairy during training on December 13th, 2024.
Read all the June 2025 Agriview Articles Here
Vermont's 2025 Fairs & Field Days!
Summer fun awaits at one of the state's many traditional celebrations of everything Vermont agriculture, heritage and culture!
Event
Date
Location
June 5-8
Enosburg Falls
June 6-8
Bradford
July 18-20
Johnson
Addison County Fair & Field Days
July 29 - August 2
Vergennes
August 12-16
Rutland
August 20-24
Lyndonville
August 22-24
Bondville
August 22 - 31
Essex Jct.
August 31 & September 1
Guilford
September 4-7
Barton
September 11-14
Tunbridge
Photo: Addison County Fair & Field Days!
Read all the June 2025 Agriview Articles Here
Bringing Hemlocks Into Vermont: What You Need to Know
By Emilie Inoue, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
Vermont’s forests are a vital part of the state’s identity and ecological health. Whether you’re a nursery professional, landscaper, or homeowner, staying informed about plant health requirements is an important step in protecting these shared landscapes—especially when bringing plants, such as eastern hemlocks, into the state.
Eastern hemlocks are native evergreens that provide habitat for wildlife, stabilize soils, and enhance the character of both natural areas and residential spaces. However, they are increasingly at risk from an invasive insect called the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). In Vermont, HWA is currently confirmed in the southern counties of Bennington, Windham, and Windsor.
To help prevent the spread of HWA to new areas, Vermont has established a Hemlock Woolly Adelgid quarantine rule that applies to the importation of live hemlocks.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) Quarantine Requirements
If you are sourcing hemlock trees from out of state, specific documentation is required based on the origin of the trees. All incoming hemlock stock must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate, which can be obtained from the certifying authority in the state of origin. Distribution information of HWA in the U.S. can be found here.
- From areas where HWA is present:
- Trees must be treated for HWA prior to entering Vermont.
- Shipments must include a State Phytosanitary Certificate that verifies the treatment method, treatment date, and the number and type of trees.
- From areas where HWA is not present:
- A Phytosanitary Certificate or Certificate of Origin is required to confirm the origin of the trees and to verify that they were not exposed to HWA during production or transport.
These measures are designed to prevent new introductions of HWA and support the health of Vermont’s forests and ecosystems. The focus is on prevention, which is more effective and less disruptive than managing active infestation.
Other Pests to Be Aware Of
Recently, inspectors from the Vermont Agency of Agriculture’s Plant Health Program have observed an increase in hemlock shipments arriving with another introduced invasive insect known as the elongate hemlock scale (EHS). Like HWA, EHS has a limited known distribution in Vermont, and current efforts are focused on slowing its spread.
Careful inspection of incoming shipments and making sure that all the required documentation is in place are simple but pragmatic and effective ways to reduce risk of spread.
Image: F.W. Ravlin, Michigan State University
General Nursery Stock Requirements
All nursery stock sold, planted, or distributed in Vermont, whether hemlock or not, must be healthy, vigorous, and free from serious pests and plant diseases. This helps protect Vermont’s natural communities and ensures high-quality plants for customers.
Any nursery stock brought into Vermont from another state must be accompanied by a valid certificate of inspection issued by the originating state. This certificate should confirm that the plants have been inspected and are free of serious pests or diseases.
If nursery stock arrives in Vermont with a known pest or disease issue, the Agency will work with the affected business to identify appropriate next steps. This may include treatment, return of the plants, or disposal, depending on the situation.
Staying Informed
If you’re operating a nursery, managing landscapes or gardening at home, taking proactive, informed steps help reduce the risk of introducing an undesirable species through the interstate movement of plants into Vermont. Understanding and following plant health guidelines is an important part of protecting and supporting the long-term health and resiliency of Vermont’s interconnected landscape.
For more information contact Plant Health at [email protected]
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