Manitoba Turkey Producers hosting a BBQ on June 8
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
For the month of June, Manitoba will celebrate Turkey Month to help showcase the industry and its producers.
The province’s turkey farmers raised more than one million turkeys in 2016, generating more than $22 million for the provincial economy, according to Statistics Canada. The figures account for about 7 per cent of total Canadian turkey production.
And producers are encouraged by the Minister’s declaration to put turkeys in the spotlight for the entire month.
“It means a lot to us,” Larry Kleinsasser, turkey manager at Concord Colony Farms in Stony Mountain, Manitoba, told Farms.com. “We love what we do. We love our turkeys. We take a lot of pride in what we do and (have) a lot of pride in supplying a great product.
“We hope people will take more notice of turkey and (use it) in more areas of their food chain.”
Turkey production is beneficial for new farmers, says Kleinsasser.
“It gives farmers a stable income to work with when they don’t have to struggle with weather,” he said.
And animal husbandry is the most enjoyable part of being a producer, according to Kleinsasser.
“I love having a little bird from day one and raising it into a gorgeous bird. It’s a great feeling. I just love working with and caring for the turkeys.”
To help celebrate Turkey Month, Manitoba Turkey Producers are hosting a pop-up BBQ on June 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Corus Radio, 1440 Jack Blick Avenue in Winnipeg.
The first 250 guests will receive turkey burgers and be eligible to win prizes.