What the Cluck!

We’re excited to continue our “Turkey Mini-Series” on What The Cluck!

It used to be, 30 years ago, where a turkey farmer would have breeder hens and toms, hatch the eggs and raise the turkeys all on the same farm.  Farmers have since specialized so they can focus their knowledge on a particular segment.  Each of the episodes focuses on one of these aspects of raising turkeys and talk about the expertise needed to produce safe, affordable and abundant turkey protein.

In the latest episode of “What The Cluck!”, host Steve Olson is joined by Scott Heymer, owner and manager of Red Bridge Farms in Princeton as well as vice president of the Minnesota Turkey Research & Promotion Council (MTRPC) Board of Directors. We focus on what happens at a turkey grow out farm, where either hens or toms can be raised and take different amounts of time to reach market weight. Scott Heymer talks specifically about how housing management, monitoring health, excellent nutrition and modern genetics all contribute to the success of growing out a turkey. And you'll learn that Scott makes his own turkey feed in the family's feed mill that was started by his father in the 1960s.

In episode #25 of What The Cluck! Podcast, host Steve Olson is joined by Paul Kvistad, a turkey grower from Wood Lake, Minn. and the current MTGA President. The two discuss why MTGA Summer Conference is a can't miss event and the stellar education program. They encourage all members to attend and use the education program as a resource to bring back useful information to the farm.

In the second segment of the podcast, host Olson interviews John Hausladen, President & CEO at the Minnesota Trucking Association and former MTGA Executive Director (1982—1996). The two discuss MTGA through a historical lens including the proud 80 year history and the evolution of the Minnesota turkey industry. Despite the changes in technology and genetics, one thing remains constant and that's the people or as Hausladen said it best, "Characters who [are] full of character."

Learn more about MTGA Summer Conference and register here.

Check out the MTGA Summer Conference education program.

In episode #24 of What The Cluck! Podcast, host Steve Olson is joined by Demetrio Barajas, a hatchery manager with Select Genetics. The two discuss all aspects of a turkey hatchery including incubation, poult uniformity, walk through the various stages of eggs at the hatchery and share the ideal conditions inside the hatchery for the turkey eggs.

In the second part of the episode, Demetrio discusses the process a poult goes through after hatching until it reaches the customer at a grow out or breeder hen farm. The turkey industry continues to utilize science and modern technology to create the ideal hatchery environment for new poults in addition to carefully timing and monitoring individual steps throughout.

To learn more about Select Genetics: https://select-genetics.com/

To learn more about Aviagen Turkeys: http://www.aviagenturkeys.us

In episode #23 of What The Cluck! Podcast, summer is heating up with turkey smoke competitions as host Steve Olson interviews Beth Breeding, vice president of communications and marketing for the National Turkey Federation, Leslee Oden, vice president of legislative affairs for the National Turkey Federation, and Joey Machado, brand manager for B&B Charcoal.

Learn about turkey as a versatile protein that takes on various flavor profiles, how the National Turkey Federation is investing in barbecue contests to increase the awareness of turkey in the barbecue community, and competition stories and grilling tips from barbecue expert Joey Machado. NTF is excited to bring turkey smoke to a competition near you! Have fun trying your hand at the grill this summer and experiment with turkey to create delicious flavor combinations.

Follow the National Turkey Federation (Serve Turkey) on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and be sure to tag them in your photos of grilling or smoking turkey at home. Follow #turkeysmoke and #tryturkey to join the online conversation.

Learn more:

National Turkey Federation: www.eatturkey.org 

B&B Charcoal: www.bbcharcoal.com

In episode #22 of What The Cluck! Podcast, host Steve Olson is joined by Dr. Darrin Karcher, poultry extension at Purdue University, Madison Taylor, partnership and outreach coordinator at Ferndale Market, and Todd Smith, quality assurance at Daybreak Foods. Dr. Karcher serves on the Poultry Health Management School executive committee and both Madison and Todd are former turkey/broiler and layer school attendees, respectively. The four discuss the opportunities PHMS provides for poultry farmers and their employees seeking continuing education to incorporate into their farm business and how that ultimately benefits the end-user consuming poultry products. Dr. Karcher gives insight on how topics and speakers are decided each year while Madison and Todd share their previous experience attending; the knowledge attendees receive and hands-on skills learned add unique value to the companies represented at the school.

Poultry Health Management School | May 13–17, 2019 | Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Learn more at www.PoultryHealthSchool.com.

In episode #21 of What The Cluck! Podcast, host Steve Olson is joined by Ashley Richardson, Senior Director of Marketing Communications for the American Egg Board (a check-off organization funded by American egg farmers). The conversation kicks off discussing the Egg Nutrition Center, the Egg Safety Center, and AEB's iconic brand - the Incredible Egg. Learn how the egg is a nutrition powerhouse at an affordable price point. AEB is involved in several education activities during the year and with Easter coming up, Ashley highlights the 141st annual White House Easter Egg Roll and presenting the 41st Commemorative Egg. Lastly, the two discuss eggs in schools and how AEB works with key influencers including nutritionists and registered dietitians.

Find Easter egg recipes and egg decorating tips at www.incredibleegg.org/Easter.

To learn more about the American Egg Board, go to www.aeb.org

To learn more about their sister site, Incredible Egg, go to www.incredibleegg.org

Or find them on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram

In episode #20 of What The Cluck! Podcast, host Steve Olson interviews Paige Rohlf, geneticist and Research & Development Manager for Aviagen Turkeys. The two discuss turkey genetics and the importance of genomics and biotechnology in producing turkey products for consumers. Primary breeders in the turkey industry are committed to researching and investing in science and technology to increase the genetic rate of improvement passed down to commercial turkey populations.

This is the third episode in our first ever “Turkey mini-series” that focuses on different aspects of raising turkeys.

To learn more about Aviagen Turkeys: http://www.aviagenturkeys.us

To learn more about Hendrix Genetics and Hybrid Turkeys (a second, well-known, primary turkey breeding company):

https://www.hendrix-genetics.com/en/animalbreeding/turkey-breeding/

https://www.hybridturkeys.com

In episode #19 of What The Cluck! Podcast, host Steve Olson interviews Dr. Owen Willems, Director of R&D for Hendrix Genetics & Hybrid Turkeys. The two discuss turkey genetics from the standpoint of a primary turkey breeding company and the practicality is has on the farm for turkey growers purchasing breeder hens and/or growing out commercial poults. Learn more about the science of how genetics plays a role in the turkey that makes it to your table and the goals for breeding the turkey of the future.

This is the second episode in our first ever “Turkey mini-series” that focuses on different aspects of raising turkeys.

To learn more about:

Hendrix Genetics (primary turkey breeding company): https://www.hendrix-genetics.com/en/animalbreeding/turkey-breeding/

Hybrid Turkeys: https://www.hybridturkeys.com

Turkey Genetics 101 Webinar, created by Hybrid Turkeys & Hendrix Genetics: https://vimeo.com/255432240

Aviagen Turkeys (primary turkey breeding company): http://www.aviagenturkeys.us

Have you ever wondered what it takes to own and manage a turkey breeder farm? Episode #18 of What The Cluck! Podcast is all about turkey breeders and the care and precision required to raise these hens for producing poults. Host Steve Olson is joined by Dr. Michelle Behl, Director of Poult Quality for Select Genetics in Willmar, Minn. and Loren "Butch" Brey, owner of Brey Farms in Sleepy Eye, Minn. The three discuss the egg laying process, hatching, incubation and poultry quality.

This is the first episode of six in our first ever "Turkey mini-series" that focuses on different aspects of raising turkeys.

Learn more about turkey breeders and farming at the following links:

Aviagen Turkeys, http://www.aviagenturkeys.us/?redirectedfrom=en-gb

Select Genetics, http://select-genetics.com/

Hybrid Turkeys, https://www.hybridturkeys.com/en/

A Day in the Life video featuring Loren Brey, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMvU1RQka7o&t=58s

Oakdale Farm – the Nelson Family, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1UbeAPyDgQ

For more videos of Minnesota turkey farmers, visit here: http://minnesotaturkey.com/farmers/farmer-videos/

Episode #17 of What The Cluck! Podcast is all about celebrating National FFA Week! Host Steve Olson is joined by Protein Alliance owner Jeff Stauffenecker, former Minnesota State FFA officer Pam Debele, and 2018-2019 Minnesota State FFA President Grace Taylor as each conversation shares fond FFA memories and experiences. Learn how FFA positively impacted each guest's educational background and now influences his/her career path. Don't forget to promote National FFA Week all over social media this week, February 16-23, using #FFAWeek and #FFAJustOne.

Learn more about...

National FFA Organization: @nationalffa | www.ffa.org

Minnesota FFA Association: @mnffa | www.mnffa.org

MN FFA Alumni Association: @MNFFAAlumni | www.mnffaalumni.org

FFA Creed: www.ffa.org/about/ffa-creed/