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Aug. 21 – Labor Day, Sept. 1, 2025

351 Days 1 Hours 41 Mins

Impact of the H5N1 virus on the 2024 Minnesota State Fair

For the past several months, the Minnesota State Fair has been monitoring the H5N1 situation and has been in constant communication with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

At this time, the H5N1 recommendations and protocols from the Board of Animal Health (effective June 18, 2024) apply to lactating (currently producing milk) dairy cattle. This means that much of the State Fair’s immense array of livestock shows and exhibitions will continue as usual; however, some changes will be implemented to protect our state’s livestock and minimize the potential spread of the H5N1 virus. Here is what guests and exhibitors can expect this year.

Dairy Cattle Shows

  • Open Class, 4-H and FFA Dairy Cattle Shows will be held as scheduled and follow the guidance and requirements provided by the BAH on June 18, 2024, namely that all lactating dairy cows brought to the fair are required to have a negative test for H5N1 within seven days before arrival and have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) listing the State Fair as a destination.
  • Those lactating dairy cows who will not return home within 10 days after testing must receive another test at the State Fairgrounds.
  • As is standard practice, a licensed official State Fair veterinarian will be on-site 24 hours a day to inspect dairy cattle exhibiting symptoms of illness.
  • The Milking Parlor will be open for exhibitors and continue to follow biosecurity procedures that apply to any usage of the milking equipment.
  • All other livestock and horse shows will proceed as usual.

CHS Miracle of Birth Center

  • Out of an abundance of caution and because pregnant cows are not able to be tested for the H5N1 virus until they give birth and produce milk, no live dairy calf births will take place at this year’s CHS Miracle of Birth Center. Once the cow begins lactating, she is subject to the testing requirement, and since she is on-site, we would not be able to follow the timeframe outlined by the BAH. Past dairy calf births may be shown on the video screens. In a typical year, approximately 10 calves are born at the CHS Miracle of Birth Center over the course of the fair’s 12 days.
  • Fair guests will still be able to witness the miracle of birth for sheep, pigs and poultry. As in years past, sows with piglets, ewes with lambs, goats with kids, rabbits and poultry will visit the center during the 12 days.
  • Although there will not be live calf births this year, dairy calves, a non-lactating dairy cow and beef cow/calf pairs will be on display.
  • FFA youth, College of Veterinary Medicine students, Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association doctors and farmers will continue to be on-site to connect with fair guests and promote the exhibit’s educational goals.
  • As has always been the top priority, the exhibit will follow biosecurity best practices and strict protocols and remind guests of the importance of hand-washing and not having food and drink in close proximity to animals.

Cattle Barn and Moo Booth

  • Cattle that are part of an exhibition will continue to stay in the Cattle Barn, and the barn will be open to fair guests during its usually scheduled fair-time hours. Lactating dairy cattle with negative H5N1 tests will also be in the barn.
  • The showcase herd, featured on display and used for fair educational demonstrations, is housed inside the north entrance of the Cattle Barn, and will include 14 Jersey lactating cows, which will follow the testing protocol, and two Jersey heifers. A Highland breed beef cow/calf pair will be on display as planned, as BAH testing requirements do not include lactating beef cattle.
  • At the Moo Booth, located outside the north side of the Cattle Barn, hand-milking demonstrations and Agrilympics milking demonstrations will be presented as scheduled using a fiberglass cow.
  • The Moo Booth’s milking demonstrations of cows in the Milking Parlor will go on as scheduled, as the Milking Parlor is enclosed, and viewers can watch through large windows.

Poultry Exhibit

  • The State Fair is undertaking the above precautions to minimize contact between dairy cattle and poultry at the fair.
  • While no changes are planned for the poultry exhibit, exhibitors are asked to stay informed of the H5N1 situation, follow the most recent biosecurity protocols, take precautions, and make the best decisions for their unique situation.

Christensen Farms Stage and Other Livestock Area Stages and Educational Booths

  • All programming is proceeding as planned.

 

As we navigate this ever-evolving situation, the information above is subject to change. View Minnesota Board of Animal Health Resources.