* The Chicago Tribune…

Out on his farm in Dundee Township, Cliff McConville sees geese landing in the fields where his turkeys and chickens graze. It’s a sight that often unnerves poultry producers, as migratory waterfowl carry and spread a highly infectious strain of bird flu that has been resurging in the United States for the last three years.

So far this year, McConville’s farm and most turkey farms in Illinois — of which there are more than 400 — have not been affected by the disease. Eight farms in the state have reported cases to the federal government, and only two of those were turkey flocks.

“We raise them outdoors,” McConville said of the poultry operations at All Grass Farms in the northwest suburbs. “They’re going to mix with (wild) birds. So we just have to do our best to keep them healthy. … That’s worked for us so far. Knock on wood.”

But larger turkey-producing states have been hit hard in the past couple of months. Nearly 2 million turkeys have been affected by bird flu across the country since August, accounting for roughly 24% of all new cases in commercial and backyard flocks, even though turkeys only account for approximately 2% of the U.S. poultry inventory.

* The New York Times…

The virus often flares up in the fall as wild birds begin migrating south; this year, the uptick is occurring during a government shutdown, as federal agencies that are typically involved in the response are working with skeletal staff.

“Because of the government shutdown, I know less than I would normally know,” said Dr. Amy Swinford, director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, which is part of a national network of labs that conducts bird flu surveillance. […]

The resurgence of the virus also means that as the holidays approach, Americans could see higher prices for both eggs and turkeys.

“Our turkey guys are getting hit pretty hard this fall,” said Bernt Nelson, an economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation. Wholesale turkey prices are already 40 percent higher than last year, Mr. Nelson said.

Have you reserved or bought a bird yet?

* More…

* AP | Trump says Thanksgiving dinner will cost 25% less this year. His numbers are misleading: While Walmart’s 2025 meal basket costs about 25% less than the one from 2024, that’s because it offers fewer items and different products that make it more affordable. “It’s not apples to apples, right?” said David Anderson, a livestock economist at Texas A&M University. “What this does highlight is individual retailers’ strategies for getting customers in the door.”

* ABC Chicago | Turkey supply lower than normal for Thanksgiving following bird flu outbreak this year, farmers say: Butcher on the Block sells fresh turkeys straight from the Harrison’s Poultry in Glenview. They are seeing the impact of the bird flu up close. Kyle Zimmerman with Harrison’s Poultry says this is the smallest turkey flock in 40 years. “Supply is definitely down,” Kyle Zimmerman said. “This isn’t some scare tactic on the news. It’s real. The farmers are feeling it.”

* Wisconsin Public Radio | Your Thanksgiving turkey could be more expensive this year. Tariffs are a big culprit: Hubbell said animal feed often makes up 60-70 percent of a producer’s operating costs. While each farmer has their own special feed mixture, usually prepared by a nutritionist, most include minerals, vitamins and other ingredients imported from abroad. Those ingredients have recently been hit by tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration. Higher bird populations could help rein in higher poultry costs, but with bird flu having already killed over 7 million commercial fowl this year, that’s unlikely to happen.

* NPR | Americans could see a big sticker shock for Thanksgiving turkeys this year: Those opting for beef instead of turkey should also prepare to pay more. Beef prices are nearly 15% higher than they were last year, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Canned vegetables are 5% more expensive compared to last year, due to higher packaging costs from the steel and aluminum tariffs the Trump administration put in place earlier this year.