The bird flu outbreak has forced state and county fair organizers to reimagine traditional summer events, including milking demonstrations. To minimize the risk of transmission, fake cows are being used instead of real ones.
In Michigan, life-sized fiberglass cows with rubber teats and water-filled udders will be featured at the state fair. Similarly, the Minnesota State Fair’s Moo Booth will use a fake dairy cow named Olympia.
The outbreak has also led to new testing rules and logistical challenges for farmers and students participating in dairy shows. Some county fairs in Michigan have canceled dairy shows, while the Iowa State Fair shuttered its milking barn.
Experts worry that further transmission of the virus could help it adapt to spread between humans. The risk of viral spread among herds has prompted precautions such as extra gloves and face shields, and requirements for lactating cattle to test negative within seven days of arriving at fairgrounds.
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