The latest trend in the United States involving cow cuddling, where individuals pay to snuggle with cows to help small farmers cover feed bills, could be in jeopardy due to a bird flu outbreak.
The Rise of Cow Cuddling
This social media-driven craze is not only a source of income for farmers but also a therapeutic experience for visitors.
However, the recent outbreak of bird flu among dairy herds in nine US states has raised concerns. Scientists fear that the outbreak may be more widespread than initially thought, potentially affecting the country’s 26,000 licensed dairy farms.
In Texas, a dairy worker has tested positive for the virus, although the risk of human infection remains low, according to government officials.
As a precautionary measure, officials are advising cattle and dairy farmers to limit outside visitors. In Michigan, new sanitation measures and access limitations have been put in place.
While the emergency response order does not explicitly prohibit cow cuddling, officials are not recommending it at this time.
Tim Boring, the Director of Michigan’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasized the need to protect both cows and people. He stated, “From a human to animal health standpoint, now is not a good time to cuddle cows.”
The restrictions could pose economic challenges for small family farms. Henk De Vor, who runs a farm in northern Michigan, mentioned that his farm already has safety measures in place. Despite the potential risks, hour-long cow cuddling sessions at his farm are booked weeks in advance and help cover insurance costs.
Similarly, Luz and Dan Klotz, owners of Luz Farms in Illinois, have implemented protective measures to ensure the safety of their visitors and the continued operation of their farm.
One hour of cow cuddling at their farm pays for one bale of hay, enough to feed their small herd for a week. “It helps a lot,” Mr. Klotz remarked, highlighting the importance of this trend for small farms.
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