Turkey Time on Illinois Farms

People across the state are thinking about one thing today - turkey! And that leads Illinois Farm Bureau to think about farmers!

On the Farm
About 95% of American families eat turkey for Thanksgiving and most of that deliciousness comes from farms, just like the Kauffman Turkey Farms at Waterman, Illinois.

"Every year, the turkey we're raising is slightly different," Robert Kauffman says. "[But] the way we keep that bird healthy hasn't changed. You start off with a very clean environment - we do a complete cleanout and disinfection after a flock has left. We try to keep the entire building, the entire environment, the water lines as clean as possible and get that bird off to an excellent start. It's not really going to have a developed immune system for at least five weeks. We have to keep it healthy." (Read more about this turkey family farm in an article from IFB's Partner's magazine.)

Many of the turkeys raised on farms are bred to give Americans the kind of meat they want. Today's turkeys have more breast meat, which means more white meat with fewer calories, less fat and cholesterol, and more protein.

In the Wild
Did you know Illinois farmers also help hunters enjoy wild turkeys, too? Farmers provide most of the wildlife area in America. In Illinois, the wildlife habitat is home to about 135,000 turkeys. The best time to spot a wild turkey is on a warm, clear day, or in a light rain.

Illinois Farm Bureau thanks all farmers for the providing the tasty treats that will grace our tables tomorrow. Thank you.

Sources: University of Illinois
Illinois Farm Bureau Partners Magazine
Minnesota Turkey Association