In this episode, Sheila and Gretta dive into the industry’s response to the aMPV outbreak and the successful push for a vaccine. The focus is on helping farmers recover losses through the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). Featuring Leslee Oden from the National Turkey Federation and firsthand accounts from farmers Ben Slinger and Ron Bradford, we provide a step-by-step roadmap for navigating the FSA appeals process, meeting the March 1st deadline.
In this episode, Sheila and Gretta "further process" one of the biggest challenges to hit the American turkey industry in years: aMPV. We look back at the three-year journey of navigating this virus and celebrate a major industry win—the rapid, one-year approval of the modified live vaccine thanks to the combined efforts of farmers, state associations, and the National Turkey Federation (NTF).
We also sit down with NTF’s Leslee Oden for a look at what’s happening on Capitol Hill and get the latest updates from the DC office. Leslee also shares updates on the upcoming Annual NTF Convention.
The core of today’s show is a must-listen guide for any farmer who suffered losses in 2025. We discuss the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the critical March 1st deadline for applications.
Special Guests:
Ben Slinger (Iowa Farmer): Shares his firsthand experience winning an appeal and navigating the paperwork.
Ron Bradford (Cooper Farms): Discusses the ongoing process and what to expect when working with the FSA.
The "Vector" Factor: Learn why proving aMPV is vector-spread is the key to winning your appeal.
Eligibility: You must legally own the birds and have experienced loss in unvaccinated flocks before the vaccine became available in your state.
The Appeals Process: Be prepared for an initial denial! We walk you through how to use the USDA National Appeals Division database to build a winning case.
Documentation: Why your veterinarian is your greatest ally in gathering research and support letters.
March 1st Application Deadline: (Since it falls on a Sunday, get yours in by Monday, March 2nd!).
75% Recovery: Understand how payments are calculated (e.g., ~$22.40 per bird).
Research: Use the search terms "aMPV" and "turkey" on the USDA Appeals site to study successful cases.
Sponsored by: Tyson Foods, West Liberty Foods, and Zoetis.
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