South Dakota Loses 400K Turkeys to Bird Flu

By Scout Nelson

South Dakota is facing significant losses in its poultry sector as a result of a widespread bird flu outbreak. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 400,000 turkeys have died in the state within the last month.

The outbreaks were confirmed in eight commercial flocks and one backyard flock, leading to a total loss of 419,540 turkeys. The affected farms were spread across five East River counties: Beadle, McPherson, Jerauld, Spink, and Faulk.

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, spreads quickly in poultry and often results in the mass loss of flocks to prevent further spread of the disease. Farmers are forced to cull infected and exposed birds, leading to major economic challenges for producers.

While neighboring states have also reported cases, South Dakota has been hit the hardest. North Dakota recorded around 101,500 turkey losses, and Minnesota reported 25,000, but South Dakota alone has seen far greater losses than both combined.

The impact on the poultry industry is considerable. Bird flu outbreaks affect not only flock numbers but also farm operations, local economies, and future production capacity. The affected counties in South Dakota are home to major poultry operations, making the scale of the losses especially challenging.

State and federal officials continue to work with farmers to control the spread of the virus. Biosecurity measures, including limiting exposure to wild birds and enhancing farm hygiene, are being strongly encouraged to reduce the risk of further outbreaks.

In total, South Dakota’s bird flu outbreak represents the most severe turkey loss reported in the region this season. With over 419,000 birds lost, the situation underscores the vulnerability of the poultry sector to fast-spreading animal diseases and highlights the importance of monitoring, prevention, and strong farm-level protections.

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