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Turkey Farm Worker- Stotts Management, Howard, MN. Learn more here.

Manager of Hatchery- Jennie-O Turkey Store, Foley, MN. Learn more here.

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Focus on Ag

This column features timely information on crop and livestock production, farm management and marketing, ag policy, renewable energy, and other timely ag topics. The column is written by Kent Thiesse, Farm Management Analyst.

Column for: December 4, 2023

Turkey Market Reports:

December 22, 2023

USDA National Retail Report: Turkey

Turkey Market News Report

Calendar

Public Outreach & Engagement Committee

Date: January 16, 11:00 am

Location: Zoom, contact Peter Scharpe

Member Engagement Committee Meeting

Date: January 18, 10:00 am

Location: Zoom, contact Brandon Severns

NTF 2024 Annual Convention

Date: February 21-24

Location: Austin, Texas

Poultry Day at the Capitol

Date: March 12th

Location: St. Paul

PEAK

Date: April 17-19

Location: Minneapolis

Now is the time to review biosecurity plans, refresh biosecurity training, and take other necessary preparations to protect your flock(s)! The below websites have an abundance of HPAI resources available to the industry.

Looking for additional information on HPAI? Contact MTGA staff at info@minnesotaturkey.com or 763-682-2171.

We are here to help!

info@minnesotaturkey.com

763-682-2171

Ashley Kohls

Executive Director

Peter Scharpe

Program Director

Jodi Ronnie

Business Director

Brandon Severns

Outreach & Member Services Coordinator

Consumer trends in India offer opportunity for U.S. turkey

It was surprise back in 2018 when U.S. poultry was granted access to the Indian market. At that time, i2i Consulting was contracted to increase demand for U.S. raised poultry in India with the focus being placed on Turkey. More recently, this past fall, India agreed to reduce the tariff on U.S. turkey products from 30% to 5%.

The National Turkey Federation recently hosted a webinar with Shiven Khanna with i2i Consulting to discuss how U.S. turkey producers and processers can capitalize on this new market.

India is nearly at $4 trillion economy with a forecasted GDP of close to 7%. Couple that with a growing middle class, approximately 300 million people moving up into the middle class, creates a vast opportunity.

Khanna explains that as individuals are moving into that middle class, they are demanding more nutritious food products. Their spending power has increased, and they are switching from cereal products to protein rich products.

“India still is protein deficient, according to several studies, about 70% of Indians have protein deficiency,” said Khanna. “Protein, post covid, has come to the forefront and we see more and more people being aware of their protein requirement.”

As it turns out, this lack of protein is not an issue of availability or access, but rather lack of education. Khanna explained even high-income groups in India, protein intake was deficient. Slowly, the conversation around diets in India is shifting from strictly calorie focused to looking at protein content.

Poultry, particularly lean poultry, like turkey, will be the main protein consumers will go to fulfil their protein needs. Due to religious reason, beef is not allowed to be imported and is not prevalent in the market.

Given that turkey is a relatively new meat in the Indian market, consumer education becomes pivotal. Creating awareness about the health benefits and versatility of turkey through targeted campaigns, recipe books, and engaging social media content can drive consumer acceptance.

“We've been working with the Indian media, where we are focusing on articles, especially during the festive season, with the intention to integrate turkey with the Indian cuisine,” he said. “The idea is to have U.S. turkey as part of the Indian feast.”

Additionally, they have been working to promote turkey based Indian style recipes online. Slurrp.com and usapeec.in are two sites consumers can go to find new ways to incorporate turkey into their meals. Slurrp is one of the largest recipe platforms in India.

There’s no question India offers a promising market for U.S. turkey. By strategically aligning with consumer trends, navigating regulatory requirements, and fostering collaboration with key stakeholders, the U.S. turkey industry has the potential to establish a long-lasting presence in India's culinary landscape.

Minnesota's earned sick and safe time law goes into effect

Effective January 1, 2024, the new earned sick and safe time law (ESST) will require employers to provide paid leave to employees working within the state of Minnesota. This law includes temporary and part-time workers. Any worker that is not a independent contractor and works a minimum of 80 hours per year is covered in this new mandate.

For every 30 hours worked, an employee must be provided one hour of ESST and have the ability to accumulate at minimum 48 hours per year.

ESST can be used for either the employee's need or the employee needing to help a family member. The state has created a list of reasons an employee can use ESST and the family members that it can be used for.

For that list and more resources regarding ESST, visit the Minnesota Department of Labor website. Included is a tool kit, information video and fast facts to help employers prepare.

A company's current PTO policy may already provide the benefits outlined by the ESST mandate.

In addition to providing the ESST, employers are required to include the total number of hours an employee has earned on their earnings statements with each pay period.

By January 1, 2024, employers are required to provide employees with a notice of ESST in English and in the employee's primary language, if not English. This notice must also be included in the employee handbook.

Renew your MTGA Membership

As the new year is upon us, it your Minnesota Turkey Growers Association membership up to date. It may be time to renew. MTGA is truly a grassroots organization and is only as strong as its membership.

Shortly after the new year, the next legislative session will being in St. Paul. MTGA lobbyist, Bruce Kleven has been actively preparing for the next session, meeting with legislators, learning about potential issues in 2024 and creating game plans on how to benefit the turkey industry. He is paving the way for Poultry Day at the Capitol.

March 12, 2024 will be your opportunity as members of MTGA to come to the Capitol and meet with your representatives. This event is organized by MTGA, meetings with legislators will be pre-scheduled and information regarding important legislative actions related to the turkey industry will be provided to members. Take advantage of this opportunity to give legislators a face, a family and a story to think about when they think about the turkey industry in Minnesota.

Also included in the MTGA membership package is access to publications such as the WingTips e-newsletter and the Gobbles bi-monthly magazine which are packed with industry information and news.

MTGA hosts various learning opportunities for members which include regional meetings, webinars and the annual Summer Summit in June.

For more information regarding MTGA membership benefits and to check the status of your membership, reach out to Brandon Severns, MTGA Outreach & Member Services Coordinator or visit the membership section of our website.

Minnesota Poultry Testing Labs Holiday Schedule

Bend, Don't Break

Consumer trends in India offer opportunity for U.S. turkey

Minnesota's earned sick and safe time law goes into effect

Renew your MTGA Membership

Minnesota Poultry Testing Labs Holiday Schedule