Animal and Plant Inspection Service 1

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

HPAI Virus Elimination: Per-Cubic-Yard Flat Rates for Table EggLaying Bird Barns and Table Egg Storage and Processing Facilities

January 2024

Introduction

Virus elimination (VE) is a crucial step in the recovery process for facilities infected with 

avian influenza. The cleaning and disinfection (C&D) practices used to achieve VE should 

be cost-effective (APHIS Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Red Book). During past highly 

pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks, reimbursable payments for VE activities were, 

at times, delayed by the necessary paperwork required for cooperative compliance 

agreements (CCAs). These agreements allowed owners of land, structures, and

contractors to be reimbursed for completed work. In January 2016, APHIS issued a flat rate 

payment on a per-bird basis for HPAI virus elimination activities to help streamline the 

process and expedite payments to affected producers. A per-bird VE flat rate was released 

for table egg-layer farms. 

Since then, APHIS received comments from the public on this policy and reevaluated the 

per-bird VE flat rates to make them more cost-effective while maintaining awareness of our 

fiscal responsibility to the taxpayer. Stakeholders also expressed an interest in the 

production types affected by the flat rates and how those rates would be developed and 

updated. Therefore, APHIS revised the VE flat rate for table egg-laying bird barns and 

expressed it on a cubic-yard basis instead of a per-bird rate as a majority of egg-laying 

birds are housed off the floor. Additionally, VE flat rates for egg storage and processing 

facilities were also expressed on a cubic-yard basis. 

The per-cubic-yard VE flat rate for table egg laying bird barns is $3.45 per cubic yard. The 

per-cubic-yard VE flat rate for table egg storage and processing facilities is $0.38 per cubic 

yard. This information sheet further describes implementation and development of the 

rates. 

What kinds of poultry production are within the scope of the flat rates for table egglaying bird barns and table egg storage and processing facilities?

The per-cubic-yard VE flat rate for table egg-laying bird barns applies to facilities for layer 

pullets or table egg-laying chickens housed off the floor, which includes manure 

management spaces that are an integral part of bird housing barns (i.e., under the same 

roof with the birds). This rate does not apply to facilities for meat-type turkeys and broilers, 

floor-raised pullets and poults, table egg-laying birds not provided perches, and breeder 

birds with nesting boxes. The per-cubic-yard VE flat rate for table egg storage and 

processing facilities applies to areas that store (i.e., coolers), wash, or break nest-run table 

eggs. The rate for table egg storage and processing facilities applies to areas where 

unprocessed, potentially contaminated eggs were kept and does not apply to areas used 

exclusively to store processed table eggs and egg products (i.e., finished product coolers 

and warehouses; packaging storage).

What costs were included in calculating the flat rates for table egg-laying bird barns 

and table egg storage and processing facilities?

An overview of financial implications is located on the APHIS Emergency Management 

website for HPAI1. The document outlines the appraisal and indemnity for birds and eggs,

1 HPAI Indemnity and Compensation
Animal and Plant Inspection Service 2

materials destroyed, depopulation and disposal, and VE. USDA makes the decision to clean 

and disinfect or destroy an item on a case-by-case basis for certain materials. Disposal 

includes items that would cost more to clean than they are worth; however, for materials 

that cannot be safely or adequately cleaned, the fair market value of disposed items is prorated based on the remaining usability of the item and paid separately. Manure cleanout is 

part of disposal, not VE, and is not covered by the VE flat rate. The removal of birds, eggs, 

and manure from the house is part of the disposal phase, and VE begins after the removal 

of birds, eggs, and manure is complete. The revised VE flat rate is a single rate for all table 

egg-laying birds housed off the floor on a cubic-yard basis. This rate covers labor, 

equipment, and supplies to clean and disinfect the interior of barns and attached manure 

management spaces. The egg storage and processing cubic-yard flat rate covers personnel, 

equipment, and supplies needed to clean and disinfect the interior of egg facilities where 

unprocessed (nest run) eggs are stored, washed, or broken.

Traditionally, cleaning followed by application of a wet disinfectant has been used for VE on 

HPAI-infected premises. During the 2014-2015 outbreak, however, APHIS found that in 

many instances dry cleaning and heat disinfection of barns was the most cost-and timeeffective VE method. Since the presence of organic material reduces the effectiveness of 

chemical disinfectants, the use of chemical disinfection requires a thorough wet cleaning 

phase in the barn. This wet cleaning phase has historically increased costs and delayed VE 

completion. Wet cleaning requires increased time and labor to remove soil and large 

amounts of liquid and solid waste, as well as to apply multiple detergents, rinse, and apply 

disinfectants. Barns must also dry out completely before the chemical disinfectant can be 

applied. In addition, damp environments support the continued viability of the virus, which 

increases the risk for spread of disease. Heat disinfection, in contrast, penetrates remaining 

organic matter after dry cleaning, eliminating the need for wet cleaning and immediately 

removing organic matter, an environmental factor required for virus viability. Therefore, we 

used heat disinfection to calculate the VE flat rate for table egg-laying bird barns and table 

egg storage and processing facilities. For items that cannot be heat disinfected, wet 

cleaning and disinfection or fallow can be used as virus elimination methods. The VE flat 

rate payment process allows the owner of the land and structures on the premises to select 

and implement the most appropriate method, as approved by State animal health officials 

and APHIS. Because there are no VE activities associated with a farm lying fallow, producers 

who choose this approach rather than cleaning to eliminate virus from a farm are not

offered funding.

Tables 1 through 4 outline the specific activities used to calculate the VE flat rate for table 

egg-laying bird barns, and are based on the broad categories (i.e., barn preparation, dry 

cleaning, heat disinfection, wet disinfection of equipment, and other activities) listed in the 

May 2023 Info Sheet “HPAI Virus Elimination: Per-Cubic-Yard Flat Rates for Table EggLaying Bird Barns and Table Egg Storage and Processing Facilities” document2. In 

addition, producers were more cost-efficient when doing VE on their own farm in the 2015 

HPAI outbreak compared to contractors; the flat-rate approach recognizes cost-sharing by 

producers. The VE flat rate payments for table egg-laying bird barns and table egg storage 

and processing facilities do not include routine or deferred maintenance or biosecurity 

activities that are part of the producers’ cost share.

2 HPAI Virus Elimination: Per-Cubic-Yard Flat Rates for Table Egg-Laying Bird Barns and Table

Egg Storage and Processing Facilities
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USDA-APHIS-VS is not mandating any specific approach to VE. The information in this 

document includes examples of the kinds of expenses considered when calculating the flat 

rate for VE, such as labor, supplies, equipment, and utilities.

Producers should not interpret this list to be required expenses. The VE flat rate is 

calculated using the costs for heat disinfection, which is a proven cost-effective method for 

performing VE. This approach gives the owner of the land and structures the latitude to 

decide what is needed to perform VE on their premises. However, if the total expenses 

exceed the amount paid under the VE flat rate, the remaining cost would be the 

responsibility of the owner of the land and structures.

Table 1. Categories of barn and facility preparation activities in the VE flat rate for table egg-laying 

bird barns, table egg storage and processing facilities, and responsible parties

Categories of 

activities

Activities covered by Federal flat rate Industry/grower cost-share

Barn and facility preparation

Labor Disassembly and reassembly of:

• Feeders

• Drinkers

• Fans (when cannot stay in the barn and be heat 

disinfected)

• Heaters (when cannot stay in the barn and be heat 

disinfected)

• Egg bumpers (when cannot stay in the barn and be 

heat disinfected)

• Egg belts (when cannot stay in the barn and be heat 

disinfected)

• Egg carts, racks, trays, etc. (when cannot stay in the 

barn and be heat disinfected)

• Manure belts and curtains (when cannot stay in the 

barn and be heat disinfected)

• Other cleanable equipment 

Equipment operator time 

Supervisor time

•

•

•

•

Mowing around barns

Barn repairs, such as screens 

or holes in barn walls

Other routine deferred 

maintenance

Gravel and road repairs

Equipment Equipment to move items 

trailers to haul equipment,

listed above, including 

fuel, and machinery

trucks and •

•

Mowers 

Herbicide sprayers

Supplies Worker safety supplies:

• Personal protective equipment

• Dumpster for disposal of PPE

(PPE)

•

•

Screens 

Herbicide, 

insecticide

rodenticide, or
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Table 2. Categories of dry-cleaning activities in the VE flat rate for table egg-laying bird barns and 

table egg storage and processing facilities and responsible parties

Categories of 

activities Activities covered by Federal flat rate Industry/grower cost-share

Dry cleaning (removal of any remaining organic material in barn interior after disposal of birds and manure is complete, 

including vacant barns and feed storage, manure management facilities)

Labor Cleaning of:

• Feeders

• Drinkers

• Fans (when cannot stay in the barn and be heat 

disinfected).

• Heaters (when cannot stay in the barn and be heat 

disinfected)

• Wall curtains

• Egg bumpers (when cannot stay in the barn and be heat 

disinfected)

• Egg belts (when cannot stay in the barn and be heat 

disinfected)

• Egg carts, racks, trays, etc. (when cannot stay in the 

barn and be heat disinfected)

• Manure belts and curtains (when cannot stay in the barn 

and be heat disinfected)

• Other cleanable equipment

• Dusting of barn interior spaces that house or have direct 

contact with poultry or poultry products and manure

Equipment operator time 

Supervisor time

Cleaning of:

• Spaces that contain equipment, 

but not birds, such as control, 

tool, or ventilation rooms.

• Break room

• Locker room

• Office

• Hallway

• Manure sheds detached from 

bird housing

• Storage spaces for clean litter or 

feed

• Processed product storage or 

dry storage areas, such as 

finished product coolers and 

packaging storage rooms

• Outdoor areas.

Equipment Equipment to dry clean barn interior spaces that house or have 

direct contact with poultry or poultry products and manure, 

including trucks and trailers to haul equipment, fuel, and 

machinery

•

•

Trucks and ATVs for site 

supervisor transportation 

Portable toilets

Supplies Worker safety supplies:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Dumpster for disposal of PPE and supplies 

cleaning

Supplies needed to dry clean barns

• Scrapers and brooms

used for dry

•

•

•

Meals for workers

Utilities (keeping the lights on 

while dry cleaning)

Hotel and transportation (airfare)
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Table 3. Categories of disinfection activities in the VE flat rate for table egg-laying bird barns, table 

egg storage and processing facilities, and responsible parties

t 

Categories 

activities

of Activities covered by Federal flat rate Industry/grower cost-share

Heat disinfection of barns and manure management facilities (heat barns to between 100° F and 120° F for 7 days, with at

least 3 of those days being consecutive)

Labor Time to:

• Set up heaters

• Install thermometers

• Monitor heating and record temperatures

• Labor to seal barn with plastic 

Equipment operator time

Technician time to reroute existing heaters or install d uc

• Supervisor time

Equipment Equipment to heat disinfect barns and manure management 

facilities, including trucks and trailers to haul equipment, fuel, 

and machinery

• Trucks and ATVs for site 

supervisor transportation

Supplies Fuel for heaters

Utilities Utilities to run heaters

Wet cleaning and disinfection of equipment that will not be heat disinfected

Labor Wash and disinfect:

• Feeders

• Drinkers

• Fans (when cannot stay in the barn and be heat 

disinfected)

• Heaters (when cannot stay in the barn and be heat 

disinfected)

• Egg bumpers (when cannot stay in the barn and be 

heat disinfected)

• Egg belts (when cannot stay in the barn and be heat 

disinfected)

• Egg carts, racks, trays, etc. (when cannot stay in the 

barn and be heat disinfected)

• Manure belts and curtains (when cannot stay in the 

barn and be heat disinfected)

• All equipment listed for dry cleaning

• Other cleanable equipment 

Equipment operator time 

Supervisor time

Disinfection of:

• Spaces that contain equipment, 

but not birds, such as control, 

tool, or ventilation rooms.

• Break room

• Locker room

• Office

• Hallways

• Manure sheds detached from 

bird housing

• Storage spaces for clean litter or 

feed

• Processed product storage or 

dry storage areas, such as 

finished product coolers and 

packaging storage rooms.

• Outdoor areas

Equipment Equipment to decontaminate equipment listed above, 

including trucks and trailers to haul equipment, fuel, and 

machinery

• Trucks and ATVs for site 

supervisors

Supplies Worker safety supplies:

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Dumpster for disposal of PPE and supplies used 

for disinfecting equipment

Water and approved detergent/disinfectant for 

decontaminating equipment

• Sawdust or wood shavings
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Table 4. Categories of additional activities that may be included in the industry/grower cost-share

in the VE flat rate for table egg-laying bird barns and table egg storage and processing facilities

Categories of activities Industry/grower cost-share

Wet cleaning and disinfection of barns

Labor Washing and disinfecting:

• Light bulbs

• Ledges

• Eaves

• Other interior barn surfaces

• Exterior of barn application of insecticide/rodenticide

Equipment Equipment for wet cleaning and disinfection

Supplies Supplies for wet cleaning and disinfection

Other activities

Admin/ Bookkeeping • Clerical and accountant time

• Mileage to meetings

• Legal counsel to review documents

• Time spent at meetings

Restocking preparation Any other activities related to restocking preparation after final environmental testing has 

(Labor, equipment, and supplies) occurred

How did USDA-APHIS-VS analyze VE data from the 2014-2015 HPAI outbreak to 

estimate the flat rates for table egg-laying bird barns and table egg storage and 

processing facilities?

Over the course of the 2014-2015 HPAI outbreak, C&D of barn interiors on affected 

premises shifted from wet cleaning and chemical disinfection procedures to less timeintensive and more cost-effective methods. The presence of organic material reduces the 

effectiveness of chemical disinfectants. Heat disinfection penetrates remaining organic 

matter after dry cleaning, eliminating the need for wet cleaning and saving time and money 

to complete VE. Data on the costs of these C&D activities were collected from farmerreported expenditures on commercial table egg-layer farms under CCAs, which served as a 

detailed source of information. These expenditures were collected from producers who 

performed VE activities themselves during 2015 in Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska for table 

egg-layer barns that ranged from 5,500 to 30,000 cubic yards. Financial plans typically 

included information on the costs per barn with barn size or information to estimate an 

average cost per barn. CCAs included the detailed labor, equipment, and supplies typically 

used to perform VE activities as outlined in Tables 1 through 4.

Many table egg-layer farms in the Midwest that used heat disinfection in the 2015 HPAI 

outbreak did not report electrician time to convert or modify heaters in barns in the CCA 

financial plans. Instead, many of those farms reported rental of external heating units.

Therefore, the VE flat rates used estimates of heating cost for table egg- layer barns and 

costs from the floor-raised flat rate to determine cost for rental of external heater units; 

mobilization of units to and from the farm; service technicians; and installation activities to 

supplement the barn preparation, dry cleaning, heating fuel, and barn temperature 

monitoring costs reported by table egg-layer farms.
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USDA-APHIS-VS analyzed the data from the 2015 HPAI outbreak CCAs to calculate the VE 

per-cubic-yard flat rates for table egg-laying bird barns for use in future outbreaks.

Supplemental data on rate inflation factors, personal protective equipment (PPE) used, and 

heat disinfection personnel, equipment, and supplies were also collected as described 

below. Farm-level response cost data used in this analysis did not include indemnity, USDAAPHIS-VS personnel, supplies, or overhead. Contractor fees were also not included. We 

used the Consumer Price Index reported from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to inflate some 

wages, equipment rental rates, and supply costs to current dollars.

The quantity of disposable PPE needed to perform VE activities was estimated from the 

average total labor hours used by producers to complete an activity that required PPE, 

assuming PPE would be worn for 3 hours and then discarded. An additional 5 percent was 

added to the total number of PPE units needed for tears and other incidences. PPE 

includes coveralls, gloves, boot covers, a cap or hood, and a respirator. It was estimated 

that each responder changed out PPE once every 3 hours at a cost of approximately

$10/PPE unit. This estimate was used to ensure that the flat rate is adequately funded to 

protect the health and safety of producer employees and supervisors performing VE 

activities.

The average wage rates paid for farm labor were $12.55/hour and for poultry workers,

$17.80/hour; both were collected from Indeed.com. The average temporary general laborer 

wage rate collected from State and local level temporary employment agencies was

$19/hour, which included all expenses for worker’s compensation, Federal and State 

income tax, Medicare tax, Social Security, etc., for the top 10 poultry producing States3. 

Data were also collected from Indeed.com to support an average supervisor wage of

$20.74/hour.

How are flat rates calculated for table egg-laying bird barns and table egg storage and 

processing facilities?

The average amount of labor, equipment, and supplies used by activity was calculated 

across layer and pullet barns sized 5,500 cubic yards to 30,000 cubic yards, standardized 

by their respective cubic yards for each barn. A 22,000 cubic-yard barn was used to 

represent the barns involved in the outbreak in 2015, as well as common table egg-layer 

production barns. The average amount of labor, equipment, and supplies used included 

amounts to clean and disinfect manure management facilities (i.e., manure pits and barns).

We used rates for personnel, equipment, and supplies that were consistent with those used 

for floor-raised poultry where appropriate. The hourly wage used for poultry workers was 

calculated by multiplying the average wage rates paid for farm labor and poultry workers by

1.5 to give producers the funds to cover their poultry worker costs (including wages, 

unemployment insurance, taxes, other benefits, and possible overtime pay). The average of 

these wage rates with the temporary general laborer wage rate resulted in an overall

poultry worker wage rate of $22/hour. The supervisor wage rate of $20.74/hour was also 

multiplied by 1.5; however, in comparing to the previous published rates, supervisor wage 

rates were 1.5 times higher than poultry worker wage rates. As a result, we set supervisor 

wage rates at $33/hour. For supervisors, a higher hourly wage may reflect a higher level of 

oversight needed for VE. The average rental rates per day for equipment were collected

3 Arkansas, California, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas
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from national level companies for the top 10 poultry-producing States. The backpack 

blower, air compressor, and shop vacuum were priced to reflect purchase of these items, to 

be retained by the producer rather than rented. Finally, all costs per unit except propane 

were inflated to 2023 dollars. For propane, October 2023 values were used.

The average amount of labor hours or units (equipment or supplies) used was multiplied by 

the corresponding rates to get a total cost for each activity. These activity totals were 

summed per barn to get a total barn cost and divided by the average barn volume to get a 

VE cost per cubic yard. Table 5 lists the budget of activities.

The table egg storage and processing facilities require heat disinfection. In lieu of having 

specific cost data for table egg storage and processing facilities, the estimated costs for 

these activities for the table egg-layer VE flat rate were used as a proxy. Heat disinfection 

costs were around 11 percent of total VE costs. Heat disinfection costs are the only ones 

needed for the table egg storage and processing facility VE flat rate because these facilities 

are maintained at a standard of cleanliness for food safety inspections.

Again, since USDA-APHIS-VS determined dry cleaning and heat disinfection to be the most 

cost-effective VE method, we used this method as the basis for the table egg- laying bird 

barn VE flat rate calculation. Producers are responsible for conducting or contracting some 

or all activities for successful VE and may choose to use any effective VE method with the 

funds provided.

How much will USDA-APHIS-VS pay for the flat rate for table egg laying bird barns 

and table egg storage and processing facilities and how is it paid?

The per-cubic-yard VE flat rate for table egg laying bird barns is $3.45 per cubic yard. The 

per-cubic-yard VE flat rate for table egg storage and processing facilities is $0.38 per cubic 

yard. The VE payments are made to the owner of the land and structures that housed the 

infected birds. Most often, this is the grower. USDA-APHIS-VS makes two payments directly 

to the owner of the land and structures, each for 50 percent of the total calculated value.

Owners of the land and structures may request the initial payment via a VS 1-23 form and 

are paid after completing the flock plan. A (second) final payment is made after laboratory 

testing of environmental samples is completed with negative results reported. The flock 

plan should clearly outline the detailed process and timeline for the expected VE activities 

as well as expectations for all parties. USDA-APHIS-VS will provide continued oversight 

(including input and inspections) to ensure that the HPAI virus is quickly contained and fully 

eliminated.

How will the cubic yard included in the payment calculation be measured?

Federal response personnel measure cubic yards. Primarily these are case managers, site 

managers, or field reimbursement specialists, but any persons acceptable to the industry 

and State may perform this task. The cubic-yard measurement for a premises can be 

calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height in yards or feet of barns housing table 

egg-laying birds off the floor in cages. If the measurements are taken by feet, divide the 

cubic-foot measurement (length X width X height of the barn) by 27 to convert to cubic 

yards. The areas to be measured are barns that house birds, including manure pits 

attached to barns that house birds and under normal biosecurity conditions would be 

expected to have contamination. Areas where producer cost-share activities listed in Tables 

1-4 occur are not included in the measurements to calculate the VE payment. The barn’s 

height is to be measured at the exterior wall height, not the peak of the barn roof. The table
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egg storage and processing facilities should be measured separately from the barns 

housing birds, excluding those areas listed as industry/grower cost-share in Tables 1-4. 

because they have a separate VE flat rate.

How frequently will the flat rate for table egg laying birds be reviewed?

VE flat rates will be reviewed annually to incorporate October propane prices, just before

the beginning of the highest risk period for avian influenza. These rates should be 

appropriate through the majority of the influenza season.

Table 5. Representative budget used to estimate a per-cubic-yard flat rate for egg-laying bird 

barns and table egg storage and processing facilities for VE in a representative 22,000 cubic- yard 

barn

VE activities Description of the Activity Use Unit Rate ($/unit) Total ($)

Barn preparation

Personnel

Poultry worker Disassembly/reassembly of feeders, 

drinkers, fans, heaters, and other

cleanable equipment

24 hr $25.83 $620

Supervisor All barn prep activities 2 hr $38.75 $77

Equipment

Skid steer/1 50 hp 0.5 day $575.36 $288

Supplies

PPE Personal Protective Equipment 7 suits $11.74 $82

Dry cleaning

Personnel

Poultry Worker All dry-cleaning activities 975 hr $25.83 $25,187

Supervisor All dry-cleaning activities 144 hr $38.75 $5,580

Equipment

Pay loader /1 150 hp 1 day $623.50 $624

Skid steer /1 50 hp 4.5 day $575.36 $2,589

Blower /2 Backpack blower 4 per barn $352.26 $1,409

Air compressor /2 100 psi with hose 2 per barn $352.26 $705

Shop Vacuum /2 For feed troughs and other dry-cleaning

activities

1 per barn $176.13 $176

Lifts /1 All types 6 day $531.91 $3,191

Supplies

PPE Personal Protective Equipment 342 suits $11.74 $4,016

Dumpster All dry-cleaning activities 1 dumpster $382.79 $383

Brooms and Scrapers All dry-cleaning activities 1 per barn $1,784.78 $1,785

Wet cleaning and disinfection of barns

Personnel

Poultry Worker All washing and disinfection of equipment 

that will not be heat disinfected

121 hr $25.83 $3,126

Supervisor All washing and disinfection of equipment 

that will not be heat disinfected

3 hr $38.75 $116

Equipment

Pressure Washer /1 PTO powered equipment that 3 day $352.26 $1,057
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will not be heat disinfected

Tractor /2 for PTO-powered equipment 3 day $234.84 $705

Water trailer /2 1,000 to 1,500 gallon 3 day $180.83 $542

Supplies

Disinfectant Virkon 12 tubs $77.50 $930

Detergent For cleaning equipment 2 tub $44.62 $89

PPE Personal protective equipment 40 suits $11.74 $470

Water system cleaner Cid 2000 16 gal $37.57 $601

Heat Disinfection

Personnel

Poultry worker Installation of thermometers, monitor and 

record temperatures,

sealing barn

102 hr $25.83 $2,635

Specialized labor Service technician activities 1 per barn $797.28 $797

Equipment

Heaters 1 million BTU per barn 4 heaters $2,489.30 $9,957

Ducting2 ducting 1 per barn $228.97 $229

Mobilization1 mobilization-in and out 1 per barn $3,000.08 $3,000

Supplies

Fuel Fuel for heaters (for the representative 

22,000 Cubic-yard barn)

0.25 gal/cu yd $0.88 $4,840

1. Equipment rates ($/hr) include equipment, mobilization, operator, and fuel cost.

2. Equipment rates ($/hr) include the equipment and mobilization cost.

For more information, contact:

USDA–APHIS–VS–CEAH

NRRC Building B, M.S. 2E7 

2150 Centre Avenue

Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117 

970.494.7200

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