Beat Pitch Competition Story

Georgia farmers affected by the bird flu outbreak receive federal funding, keeping poultry safe and decreasing prices

By Nora Wilson

After an avian influenza outbreak in January 2025, poultry farms in Elbert County, GA received federal emergency aid to cover their losses. The funding helped farmers restart operations and strengthen biosecurity to prevent future outbreaks and keep up with consumer demand.

Georgia is the top poultry-producing state in the nation. The state’s poultry industry is critical not only to its economy but also to national food supply. When the virus hit two commercial chicken farms in Elbert County, operations were halted, and the infected facility was depopulated and disinfected under USDA supervision. Federal aid enabled farmers to recover their losses, implement stricter biosecurity protocols, and begin restocking birds more quickly.

“Georgia is the largest poultry producing state in the country, and so, if we were to get avian flu on a large scale in the state, it would have a significant economic impact,” said Casey Ritz, Associate Department Head of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia. He explained that most avian flu outbreaks stem from lapses in basic safety practices like shared equipment or improper clothing. “Really, it’s a matter of making sure that we’re implementing and following biosecurity protocols... because that seems to be where the biggest break is.”

According to Ritz, the federal government has allocated $1 billion to combat avian flu nationwide. Of that, $500 million is dedicated to biosecurity, $400 million is being distributed as financial relief to affected farmers, and $100 million is earmarked for vaccine research. While vaccinations are a potential long-term solution, industry leaders remain cautious.

“We try to contain and eliminate the virus through depopulation and strict biosecurity rather than rely on vaccines,” Ritz said, adding that annual vaccinations raise regulatory concerns for international trade.

Greg Tyler, CEO and President of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, echoed this concern. “The big thing the industry is grappling with... is vaccinations,” Tyler said. “Many global trading partners may ban imports from vaccinated birds, which complicates the U.S. position on vaccine use.” Still, he acknowledged the severity of the outbreak: “When it started back up in 2022, it's hit 47 of the 50 states.”

Despite the losses, Tyler noted the industry remains strong. “In 2022, we actually hit a record $6.2 billion in exports. We're down to about $5.8 billion this past year,” he said, adding that cleanup in Elbert County was efficient and the operation should be back up and running soon.

On the ground, Georgia businesses are doing their part to maintain trust with consumers and promote safe practices. Gracen Wrenn, manager of Mary’s Tack, Feed and Pet in Elbert County, said transparency and education are key. “The really scary thing about diseases that are in our species [chickens] is that you never know until you do,” she said. “I think problems like that can get solved quicker if everyone’s involved, if everyone knows.”

With a decade of experience and deep roots in the farming community, Wrenn emphasized the importance of science-based practices. Her store has stayed busy, supplying local farmers with the tools and information they need to recover and protect their flocks.

Meanwhile, larger industry players like Centurion Poultry Inc., headquartered in Georgia, have managed to avoid direct infection but are still feeling the pressure.

“It's on all egg producers' minds. That’s all they think about, is [avian] influenza,” said Bastiaan Schimmel, vice president of sales and marketing at Centurion. “We can just lose it all from one day to the next.”

Centurion specializes in supplying eggs and chicks for both meat and egg-laying operations. Though not eligible for federal funding unless directly impacted by the virus, Schimmel noted the industry's collective strain. “If a farm gets hit, there’s just large numbers that have to be depopulated,” he said. “We try to help out as best we can to get them back up and running...because while they’re empty, they’re losing money.”

Schimmel also pointed out that funding isn't always enough. “Indemnity funds are often just enough to prevent you from going out of business,” he said. “Farmers don’t have much lobbying power in D.C. compared to other industries.”

Despite the challenges, Georgia’s poultry sector is proving resilient. With emergency funding in hand, farms are reinforcing safety measures, local businesses are supporting recovery, and national leaders are working to balance health concerns with trade and production demands. If biosecurity continues to improve, the state hopes to keep future outbreaks at bay—protecting both its economy and America’s dinner plates.