Jake Vlaminck's family operates Fahlun Farms, which was hit hard by the flu in 2023. That's when he decided to buy a laser to keep away ducks and geese — the main carriers of bird flu.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture launched a new pilot program to test unpasteurized milk for highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1).

MDA says they will begin sampling routinely collected raw cow's milk from the state's approximately 1,600 dairy farms to test for H5N1.

"Every farm in the state will be tested once a month," said Dan Glessing, who owns Glessing Family Farm near Waverly. It's a reality he has already come to terms with.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Starting next week, the state of Minnesota will begin testing raw cow milk for highly pathogenic avian influenza in compliance with USDA regulations. Since last year, a total of nine cases of bird flu have been reported in cows across Minnesota.