Minnesota’s best-in-the-nation turkey industry has been hit hard by the worst avian flu outbreaks in seven years.
Ashley Kohls, executive director of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, said this season’s outbreaks are comparable to 2015, and that farmers who raise 46 million turkeys every year in the state have needed help navigating what to do when a bird tests positive. She said it means reaching out to federal and state resources.
“Working with USDA and also with state agencies to help them work through what an outbreak looks like for them, and then having them rebound to be able to continue with what their livelihood is, which is raising turkeys,” said Kohls.
When a bird tests positive, typically a large number of birds that may have come into contact have to be destroyed. Kohls said while that has happened, particularly in September, that does not mean there won’t be enough turkeys available at grocery stores come holiday time.
“Shoppers who want to find turkey products should be able to find turkey products. Prices—all prices in the grocery store—are unfortunately going to be higher this year because of inflation and other factors.”
Minnesota’s turkey industry does $1 billion annually and provides more than 20,000 jobs to the state, said Kohls.