By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
For the second time in three years, the farm formerly known as Cold Spring Egg Farm, located at W2024 State Road 59, Palmyra, will be “depopulating” millions of hens due to the “bird flu.” In accordance with standard practice, three million birds will be composted in a site owned by the company near Zion and Hooper Road in the town of Palmyra. That process is expected to begin on October 1. Residents of nearby homes indicate that in 2022, when 2.75 million birds were “culled,” they couldn’t stand to be outside, as the odor was strong enough to make them feel sick. Large trucks were driving down the roads from early in the morning until late in the evening. Residents also have concern about the possibility of their wells getting contaminated, although state officials claim that ongoing tests will ensure that the area groundwater remains safe. According to TMJ4, the town called a meeting on Monday evening, September 29 for discussion of the concerns. TMJ4 reported on the meeting in this article.
According to the Wisconsin State Farmer, “the farm is owned by Daybreak Foods, Inc., the fourth-largest egg producer in the U.S. S&R Egg Farms was sold to Daybreak Foods Inc. of Lake Mills earlier this year [2025] for $14 million, according to Walworth County documents. According to Daybreak Foods’ website, the company is home to 19 million laying hens at several facilities across the Midwest and employs over 1,000 workers. Daybreak processes most of its eggs into liquid egg products for food service and retail customers.”
Per a press release dated September 25, “the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection [DATCP] has identified a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) in a commercial poultry flock in Jefferson County. DATCP and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) animal health officials are working together in a joint incident response. The affected premise has been quarantined to restrict movement of poultry and poultry products. Birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.”
Wisconsin State Farmer states that “Workers at the farm noticed signs of illness in the flock earlier in the week and reported it to DATCP officials, said State Veterinarian Darlene Konkle. The farm believes the virus was observed early and have been working with state and federal officials to curb the spread….
Composting provides an inexpensive alternative for disposing dead animals. Laura Blanton, assistant director at USDA Animal and Plant Health, says temperatures achieved during properly managed composting will kill most pathogens, reducing the chance to spread disease. The process is relatively odor-free and both egg and hatching waste can be composted as well…. This is the second commercial flock to report the bird flu virus in Wisconsin this year. State officials confirmed the virus in a Sheboygan County poultry flock in April. The number of poultry impacted by the outbreak was listed as 40,000 birds.
As birds begin migrating in the fall, the threat of bird flu increases. Since 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed 70 cases of bird flu in 21 dairy herds and 24 poultry farms and culling operations.” The Palmyra outbreak is the largest identified nationally in 2025.
DATCP’s press release continued, “The H5N1 HPAI virus has continued to circulate in both wild and domestic birds in North America since December 2021. H5N1 HPAI viruses are highly contagious and often fatal to domestic poultry. Caused by influenza type A viruses, the disease varies in severity depending on the strain and species affected. The disease can be spread by contact with infected birds, commingling with wild birds or their droppings, equipment, or clothing worn by anyone working with the animals.
DATCP continues to urge all livestock owners to implement strong biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and herds from the disease. This includes washing hands, disinfecting equipment, restricting access to animals, and separating new additions to the flock or herd for at least 30 days. Poultry owners are asked, when possible, to keep their birds indoors.
When HPAI H5N1 is diagnosed in a Wisconsin poultry flock, a control area is established within a 10 kilometer area around the infected premises, restricting movement on or off any premises with poultry. To help producers determine if their poultry are located within an active control area or surveillance zone, poultry owners are encouraged to use DATCP’s mapping tool.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and Jefferson County Public Health are monitoring exposed farm workers for HPAI symptoms. The risk to the general public in Wisconsin remains low. Prevention information for farmworkers or others who have close contact with birds, dairy cows, or other relevant animals can be found under Protective Actions for People.
DATCP reminds Wisconsin livestock owners to register their premises. State law requires that all livestock owners register where their animals are kept. Registration helps animal health officials communicate with flock and herd owners during disease outbreaks.
To report increased mortality or signs of illness among domestic birds, dairy cattle, or other animals, contact DATCP by following the instructions on the Animal Disease Reporting webpage. For updates on how the virus is affecting domestic birds in Wisconsin, and to find resources on protecting Wisconsin poultry, visit DATCP’s HPAI in Poultry webpage: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/HPAIWisconsin.aspx.”
H5N1 in Other Species
The HPAI H5N1 virus has continued to circulate in both wild and domestic birds in North America since December 2021. Since that time, the H5N1 virus has also affected other species, including mammalian species. To date, Wisconsin has not identified an H5N1 infection in dairy herds in the state. DATCP continues to work with USDA to conduct testing for H5N1, encourage biosecurity, and provide resources to producers.
For updates on how the H5N1 virus is affecting dairy cattle across the country, and to find resources on protecting Wisconsin dairy cattle, visit DATCP’s H5N1 in Dairy Cattle webpage: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/AvianInfluenzaCattle.aspx. “
Editor’s note: The photo on the website is from the Daybreak Farms’ website.
