Determined to avoid a repeat of the nations worst-ever avian-influenza outbreak, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is stockpiling up to 500 million doses of a new vaccine but many in the $48 billion poultry industry dont want it.
After the worst-ever U.S. outbreak of avian influenza destroyed almost 8 million turkeys earlier this year, there are fewer of them, and those that remain are smaller than normal.
The branch director at Elliott Insurance Group, Springhill, Kan., discusses smart underwriting, the biggest difference between working as an underwriter and as an agent, and the importance of a personal touch in times of crisis.
Most of the 3.8 million egg-laying hens in an Iowa flock probably have bird flu as the biggest single outbreak of the virus reported in the U.S. added to concerns that turkey and egg supplies will be hampered by the disease.