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 m ..read more

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 his ..read more

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 ..read more

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 storie ..read more

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 th ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 dif ..read more

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 raisi ..read more

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 O ..read more