Bird Flu May Make Another Grocery Item More Expensive For Iowans

You're already paying a salary for eggs, it could actually get worse.

It seems that poultry across the country are having their own COVID-style pandemic with the bird flu. Eggs are so expensive now that a lot of people have resorted to buying chickens to keep as kinda-pets to get eggs.

Read More: Can You Legally Own Backyard Chickens In Iowa Or Illinois?

Now, evidently, another item is on the grocery store belt that could cost you a chunk of change. And specifically, it's in Iowa.

For the third time this year, bird flu has been found in turkey flocks in Iowa. It's a commercial flock in Buena Vista.

It's prompted a disaster declaration from the Governor's office to let the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship work on taking care of the issue for the flock.

It's only February. This marks the third time within 6 weeks that a flock outbreak has been reported in 2025. 13 cases were reported in Iowa dairy herds last year, but it is easier for cattle to recover from bird flu than it is for birds.

Forecast Of Turkey Prices

In early January (before Iowa had a few bird flu outbreaks), the USDA forecasted that turkey shouldn't be too expensive this year, at least no more than it was last year. They predict an average of $1.07/pound for turkey meat. Of course, that can shift quickly with these state turkey flock bird flu outbreaks.

Of course, we're a hot minute away from the big turkey holiday so hopefully this bird flu outbreak goes away before then.