In this episode of Turkey Talk, Sheila and Gretta kick things off with some golf course stories before diving headfirst into a conversation about turkey litter, manure management, and fly control. The hosts are joined by leaders from the National Turkey Federation to discuss what’s happening in Washington D.C., including the Farm Bill, export markets, avian influenza, vaccine advocacy, and how farmers can better tell their stories to legislators and consumers. Later, Iowa State University extension specialist Dan Anderson joins the show to break down the value of turkey litter as a fertilizer source, best practices for manure testing and nutrient management, and what growers should communicate to landowners and crop farmers using turkey manure. This episode is packed with practical information for turkey growers heading into summer, plus updates on Turkey Lovers Month, the NTF Leadership Conference, and ways producers can advocate for the future of the turkey industry.
In this episode of Turkey Talk, Sheila and Gretta kick off the show with a few entertaining golf course stories before transitioning into a timely discussion about turkey litter, manure management, and fly control heading into the summer season. The episode features updates from the National Turkey Federation, where Leslee Oden and Alex Davidson discuss the latest developments in Washington D.C., including progress on the Farm Bill, animal health funding, export opportunities, cold chain infrastructure investments, and ongoing advocacy surrounding highly pathogenic avian influenza. They also highlight the importance of farmers telling their stories to legislators, media outlets, and consumers to help strengthen support for the turkey industry. The conversation includes information about Turkey Lovers Month in June, new producer marketing toolkits available through NTF, and the upcoming NTF Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.
Later in the episode, Dan Anderson from Iowa State University joins the show to discuss the value of turkey litter as a fertilizer source and what producers should consider when managing or selling manure nutrients. Dan explains how turkey manure functions as a complete fertilizer source containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, why proper nutrient management matters, and how growers can help neighboring farmers better understand the benefits and application strategies associated with turkey litter. The discussion also covers manure sampling, nutrient testing, stockpile management, and how litter can contribute to long-term soil health and crop productivity. Overall, the episode provides practical insight, industry updates, and advocacy information for turkey farmers preparing for the busy summer season.
June 7th – Turkey Day of Service
June 21st – Turkey Lover’s Day
Alex Davidson: adavidson@turkeyfed.org
Leslee Oden: Loden@turkeyfed.org
NTF Website: https://www.eatturkey.org/
NTF Toolkit: https://www.eatturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NTF-2026-Summer-Communications-Toolkit.pdf
Ellsworth Pro-Wash – Bio Security Wash Phone Number – 515-231-7845