Alabama dairy farming

Avian influenza, or bird flu, refers to the disease caused by infection with Type A viruses. The Alabama Department of Public Health reports these viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species, including in the Yellowhammer State.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency is now accepting applications for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program in 37 Alabama counties. This compensation is meant to help ease grazing losses due to drought on privately owned or cash leased land or fire on federally managed land.

An Alabama dairy farmer has been chosen to serve as a spokesman for a national farmers' association. Will Gilmer, of Lamar County, will serve as one of…