Bird flu concerns mean no live cattle births at Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair says it's making some changes to its programming due to concerns of H5N1 — or bird flu — in dairy cattle, including excluding them from live birth exhibitions.

The State Fair recently announced changes to some of its livestock shows and exhibitions involving lactating dairy cows, though it noted that most programming will go on as usual.

Due to the concerns about the illness's spread, lactating dairy cattle need to be tested for H5N1 within seven days of arriving at the fair. And cows that will arrive home more than ten days after the first test must be tested again while at the fair.

A State Fair veterinarian will also be on-site to monitor cows showing signs of illness.

Because pregnant cows can’t be tested for H5N1, no live cattle births will take place at the fair’s CHS Miracle of Birth Center this year. But past births may be shown on video screens, and sheep, pig and poultry births will still be observable, according to the announcement.

Cattle exhibitions will take place as normal at the Cattle Barn, including lactating dairy cattle with negative H5N1 tests. Milking demonstrations will also still take place at the Moo Booth.