Cow-milking presentations and the auction of heifers are some of the more popular activities at the Big Fresno Fair visits in prior years, but this year the cow barn will be empty.

Blame the highly contagious Avian flu that has been sweeping through herds, including in Fresno County. The Big Fresno Fair announced Friday the cancellation of lactating cow shows, including milking demonstrations, and onsite dairy shows.

The ever-popular heifer sale will be moved online and will take place at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5. Students who want to pull their heifer from the sale and find a private buyer won’t be charged a withdraw fee.

Information for students who need to upload video and photos for participation in the online sale is on the fair’s website.

More Positive Avian Flu Tests at Dairies

The decision to keep the cows home came after careful monitoring of the avian influenza (HPAI) in collaboration with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. With recent additional positive tests at Central Valley dairies, the department and fair officials decided to keep the cows at home.

“It is our focus to make the best decision for the dairy industry and these students, while also providing the important experience of participating in the fairs livestock exhibit exhibition,” livestock superintendent Terry O’Leary Collins said. “Given the current situation with HPAI this is the best path forward and we remain committed to work alongside the dairy industry to ensure these students have buyers for their animal projects so they can recoup costs and continue to participate in livestock exhibition in the future.”

HPAI does not pose a threat to other species exhibiting at the fair, so those shows will go on as planned. The fair asks participants and visitors to do their part to protect the animals and fair goers by staying home if they are experiencing a fever or flulike symptoms.

The 2024 big Fresno fair starts Oct. 2 and continues through Oct. 14. Live horse racing is already underway.

Details on this year’s fair can be found at www.FresnoFair.com.