U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told about 300 people at a Des Moines conference this week that the federal government will spend $700 million in 21 states, including Iowa, to deal with avian flu issues, the Quad City Times reported. About $400 million of that will go to cleanup and disinfection efforts. About $191 million will help producers cover their losses. Work continues on a new vaccine, too, Vilsack told the “lessons learned” conference. Gov. Terry Branstad said more than 400 workers have filed for state jobless insurance benefits. “It’s a disaster like no other that we have experienced in our state,” he said. Read more