By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons says there will be a dairy cattle show at next month’s fair, but other activities involving dairy cattle may be changed or cancelled to protect the animals from the spread of bird flu.

“Our job is to showcase all of Iowa agriculture at its peak,” Parsons said during this week’s taping of “Iowa Press” on Iowa PBS, “and so we want to make sure we’re keeping those livestock safe.”

An Iowa Department of Agriculture order that went into effect Monday requires that dairy cattle be tested for bird flu within seven days of moving the cattle from the farm to a fair for a dairy show. Parsons says state fair officials are consulting with the state ag department about what’s best when it comes to how the dairy industry is showcased outside of the show ring.

“There will still be a dairy show at this year’s Iowa State Fair,” Parsons said. “Some of the other features, however, like the milking parlor and the Boulevard of Breeds might look a little bit different.”

There are traditionally 70 different breeds of livestock featured in the State Fair’s Avenue of Breeds, including dairy cattle. There’s also a milking parlor on the fairgrounds that showcases the kind of mechanical equipment used in modern dairy operations, along with tutoring sessions for kids, who get to milk a cow themselves if they wish. Keeping dairy cattle on the fairgrounds for the 11-day run of the State Fair could be an issue, however, during this year’s outbreak of avian influenza in some dairy herds.

“We at the State Fair are evaluating our programming right now and we’ll soon be making some announcements,” Parsons said.

The Iowa State Fair starts Thursday, August 8 and runs through the Sunday the 18th.