DARKE COUNTY — Bird flu cases are still on the rise across the Buckeye State, and state lawmakers are trying to find solutions to help farmers.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Gov. Mike DeWine welcomed U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to have a look at an egg processing plant in Darke County.
Rollins spoke about the bird flu outbreak, which has resulted in over 15 million poultry being depopulated.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Popular seasonal ice cream shop not reopening for 2025 season
- Nearly a dozen injured in shooting at busy tourist area of Myrtle Beach
- Police raid alleged unlicensed dispensary
“These are farmers, third, fourth, sixth generation egg farmers that have had to depopulate millions upon millions of their egg layers. And you can’t fix that overnight,” she said.
For egg prices, Rollins explained, shoppers will see prices decrease once wholesale prices stabilize.
“Depending on what part of the country you are from, the retail prices have followed. But overall, the average prices have come down for wholesale eggs between 56 and 58 percent in the last 4 to 6 weeks,” she said.
Rollins said understanding the impact bird flu had on producers can help drive the conversation in Washington.
“Talking about the potential of using eggs from other sources, such as boilers. Yes, we are in conversations about that. We’ll continue to be so, as the repopulation takes place,” she said.
Rollins said shoppers in Texas and Virginia are already noticing lower egg prices.
She’s predicting Ohio shoppers will see a decrease soon as well.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2025 Cox Media Group
