Iowans have been raising and processing turkeys since the 1930's.  Turkey numbers have climbed slowly over time.  In 1961, Iowa spiked with over 9,000,000 turkeys being raised.  Today, a little over 8 million turkeys are commercially raised in Iowa.

Iowa currently ranks 9th in the United States in turkey production.  We have maintained this ranking for close to 20 years! Sara Lee Foods in Story Lake, West Liberty Foods in West Liberty, and AgriProcessors in Postville are importing turkeys from Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakata and Minnesota to their processing facilities.  Turkey production is starting to increase in Iowa due to the desire of processors wanting to invest dollars in Iowa.  Our super source of feed grains and Iowa's availability of crop lands for manure application support this growth.

Who is raising turkeys in Iowa?  Your neighbors!  Farm families.  Iowa's turkey growers are comprised of many second and third generation farmers, as well as first generation farmers.  A large number of the growers are raising turkeys to support a row crop farm or supplement their existing farm.  This allows them to support Iowa's rural economy.

Iowa has two types of turkey production structures.  The first are Contract Turkey Growers. Contract growers have a contract  that outlines an agreed upon price for the turkeys when they are marketed.  The turkey processor provides the poults, feed, utility costs, transportation and veterinary support.  The turkey grower finances and provides the growing facilities, the day to day management to raise the turkeys and has ownership of the manure for sale or use on their farm.

The second type of turkey production structure is the Iowa Turkey Growers Cooperative.  Members are investors in their turkey processing plants and are responsible for the poults, feed, utility costs, veterinary support, finances and provide the growing facilities, the day to day management to raise the turkeys and have ownership for the manure for sale or use on their farm.  Cooperative growers also have a contract with the processor that outlines an agreed upon price for the turkeys when they are marketed.