NTF launches members only website

The National Turkey Federation is pleased to announce a new streamlined members only website. NTF continues to seek ways to provide members with more useful online tools, and the new site has some great features. As always you will be able to register for events on the site, but now you will also be able to:

• Update your own profile;
• Easily search for other members: by name, company, geographically and by member type;
• Easier event registration -- You can now register multiple people from your organization at the same time;
• Easier online dues payment;
• The "primary member" can update your companies profile, and update new staff;
• You can join a committee with just one click;
• Visit NTF's resource center for current documents- like NTF's Animal Care Guidelines, current HPAI information, presentations from the annual convention and more!

To access NTF new members only website  please use this link to input your email. You will then receive a temporary password to login to your profile.

NTF presents Thanksgiving turkey to President Obama

Cole Cooper, with his father, NTF Chairman Gary Cooper, introduces President Barack Obama, and daughters Sasha and Malia, to "Cheese," the 2014 National Thanksgiving Turkey. 
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) on November 26 presented the National Thanksgiving Turkey to President Barack Obama from NTF Chairman Gary Cooper of Cooper Farms. This marked the 67th presentation of turkeys to U.S. presidents since 1947 by the NTF.
“Tomorrow is a pretty special moment when we give thanks for the people we love, and where we're mindful of the incredible blessings that we have received,” said Obama. “We remember the folks who can’t spend their holiday at home, especially the brave men and women in uniform who help keep our country secure.  And we celebrate a holiday that, at its best, is about what makes this nation great -- and that's its generosity and its openness, and, as President Franklin Roosevelt once said, our commitment, ‘to make a country in which no one is left out.’”
“This has been the experience of a lifetime,” said Cooper. “It is an honor to represent the many great turkey farms throughout the U.S. and present the National Thanksgiving Turkey to President Obama.  I am proud to be representing the National Turkey Federation and presenting our company’s and Ohio’s second turkey to the President of the United States, after my brother Jim had the honor back in 1996.”

National Turkey Federation elects 2014 board of directors

The 2014 National Turkey Federation officers, from left, are John Reicks, John Burkel, Jihad Douglas and Gary Cooper.
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) elected the 2014 Executive Committee (EC) during its annual convention held February 12-15 in Orlando, Fla. Elected by the NTF Board of Directors, the EC contains a diverse group of turkey industry leaders. Among them is Gary Cooper, chief operating officer of Cooper Farms in Ohio - who was elected 2014 NTF chairman.
The board also elected Jihad Douglas, president of Aviagen Turkeys, as vice-chairman and John Reicks, vice president of operations of Hillshire Brands, as secretary-treasurer. John Burkel-an independent turkey grower from Badger, Minn., assumed the position of immediate past chairman.
Cooper spoke before an audience of several hundred turkey industry executives on the convention's last day. He is well versed on the issues facing the turkey industry. As one of the three children of Cooper Farms founders Virgil and Virginia Cooper, Cooper is chief operations officer of Cooper Farms, a leading food supplier - selling a variety of turkeys and turkey products, eggs, and pork, with divisions in Oakwood, Fort Recovery, St. Henry and Van Wert, Ohio. Cooper Farms, a vertically integrated company hatches 15 million poults a year, and raises and processes 210 million pounds of turkey meat a year. Prior to his election as chairman, Cooper served on NTF's Board as vice chairman, and once headed NTF's Worker Safety & Health Committee. Cooper a past president of the Ohio Poultry Association, a past member of the Midwest Poultry Consortium board and has been a board member for U.S. Poultry and Egg Association since 2003, where he was chairman during 2011.
The board also re-elected Matthew Cook, Norbest; Yubert Envia, Foster Farms; Rick Huisinga, Willmar Poultry Co.; Ron Kardel, West Liberty Foods; Ruth Kimmelshue, Cargill Value Added Meats; Glenn Leitch, Jennie-O Turkey Store; Ron Prestage, Prestage Farms; Jeff Sveen, Dakota Provisions; and, Carl Wittenburg, Protein Alliance, Inc., to the EC.
After the board meeting, the elected EC members appointed Rod Brenneman, Butterball, LLC; and Phil Seger, Farbest Foods, Inc., to the EC as at-large members.

National Turkey Federation presents Thanksgiving turkey to Obama

President Obama  with daughters Malia and Sasha accept the National Thanksgiving Turkey from National Turkey Federation Chairman John Burkel of Badger, Minnesota. Joni Burkel and the couple's five children were also present. 
President Barack Obama on November 27 accepted the National Thanksgiving Turkey from National Turkey Federation Chairman John Burkel of Badger, Minnesota.  The presentation has occurred each year since 1947.
"This is a quintessentially American holiday, and during this time we give thanks to our friends and our family, for citizens who show compassion to those in need, and for neighbors who help strangers they've never met.  We give thanks for the blessings of freedom and opportunity that previous generations worked so hard to secure for.  And we give thanks for the service and sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform who serve our nation around the world," said President Obama.
Keeping with tradition, the president pardoned the turkey, "Popcorn" and its alternate, "Caramel".   Names for the birds were suggested by school children through the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association.
Burkel, wife Joni, and five children raised and selected the turkey given to President Obama.
"My family came to appreciate that raising the National Thanksgiving Turkey for this presentation is an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the season as a thoughtful and thankful country," said Burkel.  "Sharing in the tradition of Thanksgiving, the president has reminded us of the blessings of a good harvest, and the capacity for greatness and goodness in our nation."
Burkel is a member of Northern, Pride, Inc., and its 25 grower-owned turkey processors in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.  Hybrid Turkeys, represented by Peter Gruhl, provided the newly-hatched poults, born this summer.
Jaindl's Turkey Farm in Orefield, Pennsylvania, gave the president's family two dressed turkeys as part of the First Family's food donations in observance of Thanksgiving.
The night before the presentation, "Popcorn" and "Caramel" roomed at the Willard Hotel, near the White House.  Their permanent home is with Morven Park's Turkey Hill at the historic turkey farm and home of former Virginia Governor Westmoreland Davis (1918-1922) in Leesburg, Va.  Before settling at their Morven Park home, the turkeys have a traditional holiday stay at George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate Museum and Garden until January 6, 2014.

National Turkey Federation president to speak at upcoming Turkey Committee Meeting

The Poultry Federation has announced the lineup of speakers for its upcoming Turkey Committee Meeting. Joel Brandenberger, president of the National Turkey Federation, Washington, D.C., is a featured presenter.
The meeting is scheduled for September 6-7 at Thousand Hills Convention Center in Branson, Mo. The schedule is as follows:
Friday, September 6, 2013
• Welcome and Opening Remarks - Tim Kasinger, Turkey Committee president, Ag Forte
• The Poultry Federation Update - Marvin Childers, The Poultry Committee, president
• National Turkey Federation Update - Joel Brandenberger, National Turkey Federation, president
• Problem Solving Water - Susan Watkins, University of Arkansas
• Preparing for Winter - John Menges, Best Veterinary Solutions
Saturday, September 7, 2013
• Welcome - Tim Kasinger, Turkey Committee president, Ag Forte
• Salmonella - Dr. Brian Wooming, Cargill
• Corona Virus - Kabel Robbins, Butterball
Advance registration for the conference is $20 per industry representative, attending family members are free.  Advance registration for golf is $60 per player. Attendees should register online. For more information, contact The Poultry Federation at +1.501.375.8131.

National Turkey Federation names vice president of communications

The National Turkey Federation has announced the addition of Keith M. Williams as vice president of communications and marketing.
Williams brings 25 years of experience working with reporters to benefit the public with an understanding of agriculture and food safety. Originally from Lubbock, Texas, Williams has served as press secretary at USDA and at House and Senate agriculture committees in Congress, after a previous career as a reporter in the west Texas region.
"Keith is the ideal person to help enhance our comprehensive focus on the shared interests of consumers, producers and processors," said National Turkey Federation President Joel Brandenberger. "National Turkey Federation members welcome the public's expectation for accurate information about the food they feed their families, and Keith will do a great job of providing the public that information."
"The turkey industry has the diversity of products available today with incredible nutritional value supplied by producer and processor dedication to safe, science-based production and processing," Williams said.  "I look forward to increasing the public's informed understanding of what it takes to get turkey to their table."  

National Turkey Federation presents Turkey on the Menu awards

The National Turkey Federation presented its 11th annual “Turkey on the Menu” (TOM) Awards at its national convention February 14. The awards recognize food service providers in the categories of supermarket foodservice, fast food, quick casual, mid-scale and full service dining who best featured innovative turkey dishes on their menus.
“The TOM awards truly illustrate how diverse food service establishments — from fast food to full service dining — are embracing turkey," said National Turkey Federation president Joel Brandenberger. "Its versatility and great taste have empowered chefs to use turkey in so many interesting and truly creative ways. The TOM awards honors these innovators, and give them industry-wide recognition they so deserve.”
In alphabetical order by category, the 2013 TOM recipients are:

• Fast food: Subway, Arby's
• Full service: Sweetwater Chophouse
• Mid-scale: The Good Egg
• Quick casual: Specialty’s Café and Bakery
• Supermarket foodservice: Wegman’s Food Markets Inc.
Federation members nominate the foodservice chains that exemplify the criteria of the TOM award. Entrant applications address questions regarding turkey menu applications, the item’s consumer appeal, how the chain promotes the menu items through marketing and turkey’s food cost percentage. A panel of objective foodservice professionals rates the entries on consumer appeal, versatility, taste, value and how the turkey application benefits the operation.

US poultry industry concerned over release of food safety data

The National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and U.S. Poultry and Egg Association have expressed concerns over the public release of establishment-specific food safety data, including the potential for misinterpretation of the data; adverse effects on international trade; the risk that confidential or proprietary information could be deduced; and adverse effects on inspector performance.
The groups believe that their concerns were not completely addressed in the final report released by the National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council, “The Potential Consequences of Public Release of Food Safety and Inspection Service Establishment-Specific Data.”  Without proper context, said the groups in a statement, there is concern that the amount of information will be subject to misinterpretation and confusion that could "needlessly alarm consumers and our trading partners.”
FSIS data may already be obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests. Such data includes:

• Microbiological sampling and testing data.
• Residue sampling and testing data.
• Facility-specific noncompliance records identified during routine inspection activities.
• Food-safety assessments, evaluations of the entirety of a facility’s food-safety program, including the nature and source of raw materials, processes, the environment, and all other aspects included under Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points.
• Facility-specific HACCP verifications.
• Foodborne-disease outbreak investigation closeout reports.

“A strong food safety system is the number one priority of the poultry industry,” said the groups. “But as the report itself states, ‘It is not possible to make a direct causal link between public data access and specific food-safety improvements.’” 

Turkey federation opposes federal animal welfare standards

The executive committee of the National Turkey Federation has adopted a resolution to oppose any legislation that would allow the federal government to enforce on-farm animal welfare standards.   
The decision, made at the federation's Leadership Conference in Washington D.C., was in response to the recently announced agreement by the Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers in which both groups pledged to lobby Congress to adopt legislation covering housing and some husbandry practices for laying hens.
The resolution to oppose any federal legislation allowing on-farm enforcement of animal welfare standards was also approved by the NTF's legislative and turkey health and welfare committees. During discussion of this resolution, NTF executive committee members and NTF staff stated that NTF would not typically take a position regarding specific standards the egg industry has chosen to impose on itself, but the HSUS-UEP agreement seeks federal legislation to enforce these standards. The NTF's position is that federal legislation for egg layer welfare would establish a precedent for the federal government to come onto the farm to impose animal welfare standards in other industries, as well.

Joint Poultry Industry Safety Award program calls for applicants

The Joint Poultry Industry Safety Award Program, which recognizes facilities that have achieved injury and illness rates below the industry average for three consecutive years through the implementation of innovative and effective programs, has put out a call for applicants throughout the poultry industry. 
Poultry or egg processing plants, hatcheries, feed mills or rendering facilities that are operated by member companies of the National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association are eligible to apply. The application deadline for the 2011 awards is March 1.

Poultry, egg industries support Korea pact

Trade groups representing the U.S. poultry and egg industries -- National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and USA Poultry & Egg Export council -- said they support a move to gain congressional approval of a 2007 Free Trade Agreement between the U.S. and Korea. President Barack Obama in a recent G-20 summit set a November deadline for approval of the agreement, which has been stalled in Congress since 2007.
From 2005-09, U.S. poultry and egg exports to Korea averaged over $52 million annually. Industry experts expect exports to the country to increase more than 80% annually if the agreement were to be implemented.

Awards for poultry industry safety announced

The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council presented safety awards to poultry companies during the National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry.
The awards, which are expected to be given out annually, were handed out to 48 chicken and turkey companies that exemplified outstanding safety performance through the implementation of new health and safety programs. Award consideration was based on injury statistics over three years and an evaluation of written applications by three judges. The Council is made up of members from the U.S Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council and National Turkey Federation.
The highest category was Award of Distinction and winners in this category include: Butterball LLC, Cargill Turkey Production LLC, Equity Group Kentucky Division LLC, Simmons Foods Inc. and Wayne Farms LLC. Two other categories were also given for Award of Honor and Award of Merit.

New poultry industry safety recognition program announced

The Joint Poultry Industry Safety and Health Council has launched its first annual safety award program. The program is open to National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association members with poultry processing plants, hatcheries, feed mills or rendering facilities that have injury and illness rates below the industry average for three consecutive years.
The application deadline for this year’s awards is March 15, 2010. The awards will be presented during the National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry, June 9-11, 2010, at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Report highlights ergonomic progress in the poultry industry

Musculoskeletal disorders among workers in the poultry industry have declined 75% during the last 25 years, according to a report recently released by the Joint Industry Safety and Health Council, a committee of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, National Chicken Council and National Turkey Federation.
The study, Ergonomics in the Poultry Industry: A Review of 25 Years of Industry Efforts, describes progress in the prevention and early treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. It also discusses results of cooperation between the industry and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Poultry industry urges US to pursue action against European ban

The American poultry industry has urged U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to “fully and resolutely pursue” a World Trade Organization action against European Union rules that effectively block American poultry from the European market.
“To date, the EU has conducted no risk assessment to justify the ban on U.S. poultry,” wrote George Watts, president of the National Chicken Council; Joel Brandenberger of the National Turkey Federation; and James H. Sumner of USA Poultry and Egg Export Council in a letter to Kirk’s agency.
Since 1997, the European Union has banned imports of poultry processed with chlorinated water, which helps control potentially pathogenic microorganisms and is considered safe by U.S. authorities. The industry representatives who signed the letter estimate that the policy prevents them from developing a market in Europe worth about $240 million for chicken and $60 million for turkey and duck.
The European Food Safety Agency, the EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks, and the EU Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks cleared the way in 2008 for approval of the use of four pathogen-reducing treatments—chlorine dioxide, acidified sodium chlorite, trisodium phosphate, and peroxyacids— finding them safe and effective. The European Commission tentatively approved their use, but was overruled by representatives of national governments.
“The EU has not been able to demonstrate nor justify why the use of [pathogen-reducing treatments] is not scientifically acceptable and why a politically expedient decision should be acceptable,” the industry representatives wrote. “Pursuing resolution of the issues through the WTO dispute settlement process may not only prove to restore U.S. poultry exports to the EU but, equally important, will … provide for a more predictable and fairer opportunity for agricultural exports to participate in the world market.”

Annual meat conference slated for March

The 2010 Annual Meat Conference is scheduled for Sunday, March 7-Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla.
This annual conference addresses consumer trends, marketing and merchandising, technology, human resources and meat department profitability. There will also be educational sessions, a tech fair and a product tasting reception.
The event is co-sponsored by Food Marketing Institute and the American Meat Institute in conjunction with the American Lamb Board, National Cattlemen's Association, National Chicken Council, National Pork Board and the National Turkey Federation.
Rosen Shingle Creek is located at 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819. Room reservations can be made directly with the hotel by calling +1.866.996.9939. The reservation cut-off date is February 12, 2010.
For more information, visit www.meatconference.com.

Groups urge trade rep. to challenge EU's US poultry barrier

Four concerned groups are jointly urging the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to have the World Trade Organization (WTO) determine if a major barrier to U.S. poultry exports to the European Union is a violation of WTO’s rules.
In a September 24 letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, the National Chicken Council, USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, National Turkey Federation and the National Association of Manufacturers reconfirmed their strong support for the office's action that would result in a WTO dispute settlement panel that addresses the EU’s blocking action against four antimicrobials that reduce pathogens during poultry processing.
U.S. poultry exports to the EU have not been permitted since 1997. If the EU was an eligible market for U.S. poultry, it is estimated that annual poultry exports would top $300 million.

Poultry, meat groups criticize EPA proposal

Poultry and meat trade groups submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The groups sharply criticized EPA’s proposed changes, citing inadequate analysis of the impact on agricultural commodity prices.
National Turkey Federation (NTF), National Chicken Council, American Meat Institute and FarmEcon noted the proposed regulations have not considered the variability of the grain crop or other biomass production risks. The groups believe this could have serious consequences on food and fuel production costs in years of reduced crop production, and further argue that an increased reliance on biofuels would likely increase fuel supply instability.
In their comments, the groups link fuel production and cost of animal feed with food prices.
“The proposed RFS program poses severe consequences for the U.S. food supply, ” said Joel Brandenberger, NTF’s president.
According to FarmEcon, if the RFS is increased to 20 billion gallons of grain-based ethanol per year, consumers could see almost a 5% increase in average food costs.

NTF announces conference dates

The National Turkey Federation has released dates for its annual convention and leadership conference.
Its 2010 annual convention, “Spurring Change: New Strategies for a New Economy,” will be held Feb 10-13, 2010, in San Antonio, Texas.
The NTF’s 11th Annual Leadership Conference will be July 18-20, 2010, in Washington, D.C., where participants can to meet with legislators and regulators.
For more information, call +1.202.730.9637 or e-mail arichards@turkeyfed.org.

NTF supports China export compromise

The National Turkey Federation and its membership has said it favors a compromise from Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D.-Conn., and Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., that could permit cooked poultry products from China to be sold in the United States.
The agreement would ensure the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service can proceed in conducting risk assessments of cooked poultry products from China and inspecting Chinese plants to determine their eligibility for export to the United States, according to NTF President Joel Brandenberger. The House and Senate conferees have agreed to include this provision in the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill.
China is the second-largest foreign purchaser of U.S. turkey products, and it has expressed its strong opposition to a provision authored by DeLauro in last year’s appropriations bill preventing USDA from proceeding with a risk assessment and plant inspection.
The agreement allows FSIS to begin conducting risk assessments, inspecting Chinese plants and making science-based determinations about the equivalency of Chinese food safety systems. However, several key provisions must be met for product to enter the country. The agreement will require significant reporting to Congress but gives the Secretary of Agriculture the discretion to administer the program in accordance with established procedures for all other countries.