After learning that the Iowa Department of Agriculture would require dairy cows to be tested for avian flu before being taken from a farm to a dairy cow show, members of the Dubuque County Fair Board jumped into action. Fair board member Megan Gronau, who heads livestock shows for the fair, said the board contacted participants who often show at the fair — the board had not yet received any official entries — about what they would be required to do in order to show their cows in the open-class dairy show. Ultimately, the wariness of area dairy farmers pushed the board to cancel the show. Fair Manager Kevin Kotz said the show is usually a popular one, but safety concerns pushed the board to vote in favor of canceling it.
