The Turkey Talk Show

Genetics in Focus: Advancing the Future of Turkey Breeding

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Turkey Talk Show, hosts Gretta and Sheila kick things off by discussing their office planning methods and their shared love for whiteboards. Sheila then welcomes Paige Rolf from Aviagen Turkeys, who provides an update on the company's work, focusing on how they use genetics to help farmers produce the best turkeys. The conversation continues with Blair McCorriston and Jason Yordy, who join the show to discuss the latest advancements in turkey genetics. Blair talks about the new technology being utilized in the field, while Jason explains the benefits of TurkeyTrac, a tool designed to support both farmers and breeding companies.

Episode Notes

Introduction:

• Gretta and Sheila kick off the episode discussing their disbelief that it's already mid-January. They note that January is a busy time for planning in both associations and on farms.
• Sheila shares her love of planning, while Gretta talks about a major purchase—a 6-foot whiteboard on wheels, which has become a key organizational tool in their office.

Main Topic: Genetics in the Turkey Industry

• Paige Rohlf from Aviagen Turkeys leads the discussion on turkey genetics:
  • Genetics Process: Paige explains the process of selecting the best genetic lines for turkeys. The goal is to improve health, yield, and other key traits.
  • Multi-environment Selection: Aviagen is testing turkeys in diverse environments by renting farms in Virginia to evaluate their performance in challenging conditions.
  • Selection Criteria: Paige highlights three critical areas of focus:
    1. Multi-environment selection
    2. CT scans to measure breast meat yield
    3. Genomics for more precise breeding decisions
  • Commitment to Farmers: Paige emphasizes the importance of farmer feedback, the commitment to producing healthy, efficient turkeys, and the company's dedication to the turkey industry.
• Blair McCorriston from Hybrid Turkeys and Jason Yordy from TurkeyTrac join the conversation.
  • Blair on Technology and Selection: Blair discusses new advancements in technology, such as CT scanning, focusing on breast meat yield while maintaining other key traits. He also shares Hybrid's new approach to using commercial feedback in breeding decisions.
  • Jason on TurkeyTrac: Jason explains TurkeyTrac—a system combining hardware and software to collect farm data. Key features:
    • 72 metrics collected, with a flock score providing quick insights.
    • Data shared with vendors (like Hybrid) to inform decisions.
    • The system is designed to be easy to use, requiring only the addition of mortality data.
  • Partnerships: Blair praises Hybrid’s new partnership with TurkeyTrac, highlighting the value of the data collected and the ability to be proactive in decision-making.

Call to Action:

• Sheila encourages farmers to stay current with new technologies and explore what works best for their operations.
• She also invites listeners to share the Turkey Talk Show podcast and download the TurkeyConnect app for more industry updates.

Conclusion:

• Sheila and Gretta wrap up the episode, thanking listeners for tuning in.