Annual Report - National Turkey Federation

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Annual Report
N A T I O N A L
F E D E R A T I O N
Foreword
Taking stock of 2013 makes clear there is reason for optimism and energy about the work ahead for the
National Turkey Federation (NTF).
Production costs should come down somewhat, but almost as importantly, policymakers in Washington,
DC are beginning to recognize that as long as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is in place as currently
written, volatility lies just around the corner. It may be that no single development in the past year will
prove as significant. In fact, a 2014 decision was planned by EPA to require slightly less corn be diverted
to ethanol in the coming year. Also this year, a vast, positive change in food safety that will modernize
USDA poultry inspections appears increasingly likely after more than a decade of proving the system’s
safety via pilot plant results. And, on behalf of the health and well-being of our animals, we speak with
consumers in a confident, cohesive voice about the wholesomeness of the lean protein product of
turkey.
As a federation, NTF members and staff were leaders on events that sparked initiatives and innovation
for the year—
• USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service provided some needed relief with a September $30 million bonus purchase in turkey products to fill the needs of federal food and nutrition
assistance programs and food banks.
• As noted, NTF actively promoted a broader public understanding that the forced diversion of corn-to-fuel churns price and volatility in corn feed, which increases the cost of food. NTF is working to follow EPA’s one-year freeze on corn ethanol blending rates with action by
Congress to reform the corn ethanol mandate for a permanent fix.
• NTF’s continued work for development of a modernized poultry plant inspection system not only brought the system closer to reality, it solidified turkey’s reputation as a reliable food safety partner.
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• NTF began implementing the five-year Strategic Plan communicating issues and marketing to consumer’s interests with website and social media focus, and the production of a farm and
processing plant tour hosted on video by Dr. Temple Grandin – an NTF partnership in
association with the American Meat Institute.
The National Turkey Federation’s strength is in dedication, hard work and creative optimism. Working
for profitability and safe delivery of wholesome, high-quality and nutritious food, NTF represents the
best in our growers, processors, hatchers, breeders, distributors, allied services and state associations.
Our People, Our Birds
Valued at nearly 18 billion dollars, all aspects of turkey breeding, hatching, growing, feeding, producing,
processing, packaging, transportation and marketing directly employ more than 20,000 people. Tens of
thousands more work in allied industries of product distribution and equipment design.
Ever-expanding marketing during the past three decades has turned the centerpiece of the signature
holiday meal at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter into a year-round and ‘round-the-clock product for
breakfast sausages and bacon, deli lunch and turkey dogs, ground turkey and grilled turkey tenderloin,
along with turkey soup, turkey drumsticks and turkey wings.
USDA estimates 253.5 million turkeys were produced in 2013.
Americans currently eat an average per capita of 16 pounds of turkey meat each year.
Turkey exports were 13 percent of total production – more than $678 million dollars
*(latest available 2012 data)
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NTF’s Damon Wells representing the turkey
industry on a National Journal Panel, Biofuels
Mandate: Defend, Reform, or Repeal
Member Services
Highlighting the core mission for protection, promotion, partnership and education, NTF and its
member companies speak with one voice. The value of membership in the National Turkey Federation
yields technical, regulatory, legislative and communications marketing support. Member companies,
individual producers and allied companies redeem their investment of experience when taking part in
committees, leadership conferences and annual conventions.
2013 Annual Convention
More than 600 people attended NTF’s 2013 Annual Convention in San Diego. Participation in four days
of committee meetings, workshops, and networking opportunities included a new Issues Seminar, an
opportunity for all convention participants to hear the best of the committee meetings’ speakers. This
format addition was requested by members. The Board of Directors meeting also underwent a change,
including a speaker designed to encourage expansive thinking about the industry’s role in delivering
food to underdeveloped nations.
TURPAC raised the stakes and support by making an auction the centerpiece of the banquet. The
comedian/auctioneer was a big hit and invited to return for the 2014 Convention.
2013 Leadership Conference
NTF’s 2013 Leadership Conference brought 150 participants to Capitol Hill for substantive meetings
with 105 congressional offices and federal regulators. These meetings allowed policymakers to
benefit from members’ expertise in a variety of areas and allowed for discussions about the flawed
federal ethanol policy, the need for a legal and skilled immigrant workforce, next steps for the Farm Bill
and the effective use of antibiotics for animal wellbeing.
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Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) spoke to the members at the General Session, and House Judiciary
Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) delivered the keynote during a special session on Capitol
Hill, where he outlined immigration workforce, ethanol and other agricultural issues.
NTF’s “Meat and Greet” congressional reception at the historic House Agriculture Committee and its
balcony view of the US Capitol blended business talk and friendly banter over a variety of
specially-prepared turkey appetizers with the well-matched appetites for information and food.
Lifetime Achievement Award
NTF honored longtime turkey industry leader Robert H. “Twig” Strickler with the NTF Lifetime
Achievement Award. Strickler is a pioneer for innovating fresh turkey retail products. Rocco Enterprises,
the Shenandoah Valley company his father founded, was Twig’s business achievement, where he
devoted 60 years to the company. Working with his brother Charles “Chip” Strickler, also an NTF
Lifetime Achievement recipient, Rocco developed as the premier supplier of fresh turkey products in the
Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Future Meetings
The 2014 Leadership Conference is set for July 21-23 at the Liaison Hotel in Washington, DC.
NTF celebrates 75 years of industry innovation at the 2015 Annual Convention from February 11-14
in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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Legislative Affairs
As Congress’ actions continue to have a major impact on the turkey industry, NTF works to address
member concerns and bring about practical, commonsense progress on key issues affecting the industry.
Corn Siphoned-off into Ethanol
NTF action on multiple fronts focused attention on the problems caused by the corn ethanol mandate,
as the feed supply concerns raised by NTF at the start of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) more than
eight years ago continued to manifest themselves. NTF testified before Congress and the EPA, stirred
grassroots efforts, and contributed momentum to reform and repeal legislation.
The "Corn Ethanol Elimination Act" of Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) directs
development of next generation biofuels that do not compete with livestock and poultry for key feed
ingredients, and instead moves the corn ethanol industry to a sustainable business model. Also, the
"Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act” by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Pat
Toomey (R-PA) would repeal the RFS in its entirety. In the House of Representatives, Reps. Bob
Goodlatte (R-VA), Jim Costa, (D-CA), Peter Welch, (D-VT) and Steve Womack, (R-AR) introduced the
"Renewable Fuel Standard Reform Act" to repeal corn ethanol blending requirements and realign efforts
that would focus on advanced biofuels.
NTF testified about RFS market distortion at the House Energy Subcommittee on Oversight, highlighted
the economic consequences at a congressional policy hearing, and presented official comment at EPA’s
national hearing to freeze RFS levels.
Despite volatile corn prices, it was EPA’s mounting doubts about whether motorists would use enough
gasoline to absorb the required ethanol blending that led to an end-of-year proposal to
essentially freeze RFS requirements at current levels, without the scheduled increase to 14.5 billion
gallons of ethanol. This is another potential win in our campaign to significantly roll back the RFS, yet
we cannot take our foot off the gas pedal. EPA’s halt in a planned increased corn ethanol blending rate
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helps signify change to this once-protected policy, yet it will not dramatically change market conditions
for the corn we buy. As NTF told EPA at a hearing on the proposal, Congress must fix this significantly
flawed policy. NTF’s legislative department will lead the way to making this goal a reality in 2014 by
pushing specific changes to the RFS and seeking the significant legislative reform to diminish the
competition between food vs. fuel.
Immigration
Turkey processing plant locations are often in rural areas without a locally available workforce. Although
offering well-above minimum wage and employee benefits, processing plants are increasingly
challenged in finding workers – and concerned that identity theft is thwarting a trusted system to verify
legal workers. Limitations on visas requiring seasonal agricultural workers to return frequently to their
home countries also pose hardship in processing plants where training represents a significant financial
investment.
NTF’s legislative team has worked cooperatively to resolve the immigration problems facing the
industry. Supporting practical solutions, NTF has worked to shape mainstream legislation with
improvements to ensure good faith hiring efforts will protect company employees who have verified
the identity of legally eligible workers. Responding to the need for workers to be available over several
seasons, NTF has backed the efforts of legislators to meet the needs of all businesses for guest workers.
Farm Bill
NTF worked diligently to resolve issues critical to member companies with the National Poultry
Improvement Plan and risk management tools for growers, and will continue to pursue resolution to
the GIPSA marketing rule. NTF has also worked to address concerns regarding Country of Origin Labeling.
Although turkey remains exempt from COOL, we recognize the law’s negative impact on many of our
members’ other protein businesses.
Federal Funding Fights and Furloughs
NTF and other animal agricultural groups focused work during debate on the Fiscal Year 2013
Continuing Resolution to ensure passage of an amendment that kept meat inspectors from being
furloughed – a fate suffered by most other federal workers. Adoption of the amendment by Senators
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Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) was a resounding win for the meat and poultry industry.
Faced with a budget cut to all agencies as a result of “sequestration” Congress adopted an
amendment that averted meat inspector furloughs. The bill became law and now funds the
government through September 30. The amendment gave USDA the needed funds and flexibility to
avert the inspector shutdown. The adoption of the amendment and final passage represented a
significant grassroots victory for NTF and its members. Also during the sequester, the federation’s
legislative and regulatory teams worked in tandem with national organizations to ensure lab technicians
were allowed to remain on the job at USDA’s Center of Veterinary Biologics to clear newly prepared
vaccine batches.
TURPAC
Noted as an “influential lobbying powerhouse” by the Center for Public Integrity, NTF's Political Action
Committee (PAC) is one of the largest and most active PACs within the meat and poultry sectors. Raising
$204,100 to exceed its fundraising goal of $180,500 in 2013, several states joined with their own
record-breaking results:
• Iowa, chaired by Ed Garrett, recorded $73,098 in contributions;
• Ohio and North Carolina/South Carolina set new single-state records:
• Ohio chaired by Dianne Cooper, raised more than $36,420;
• North Carolina/South Carolina chaired by Neal Walsh and John Prestage raised $32,000
(bolstered by the state’s second Tee-Off for TURPAC golf tournament)
• Indiana, led by Ted Seger, raised an impressive $20,420 in contributions
• John Burkel, TURPAC Chairman and leader of Minnesota/Wisconsin, raised $15,285
TURPAC contributes funds to US House and Senate candidates, who primarily share the industry’s
philosophy, are on committees of jurisdiction that impact the turkey industry, or represent areas of the
country where turkey is raised. Leadership and support of NTF legislative initiatives is also an important
factor. Legislators whose efforts to strengthen the turkey industry are candidates for TURPAC support,
regardless of committee assignments or turkey industry presence in their states or districts.
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Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
In many respects, 2013 was uniquely challenging – and in some respects, a promising – regulatory year for
the turkey industry. As ever, the Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Department again utilized working
relationships that are among the very best in Washington to help protect and promote the turkey
industry’s interests. Five Federation subcommittees bring together leading minds on turkey processing,
production, animal medicine, research and exports to serve as key resources for NTF members, supporting
initiatives throughout the year.
Technical and Regulatory
Sequestration/Government Shutdown: NTF staff played a critical role to ensure federal
inspections continued during the sequestration funding fight in Spring 2013, and then to lessen the
impact of the government shutdown in the Fall. Through NTF’s direct efforts to expedite labeling,
securing forms and materials for in-plant inspectors and ensuring that inspector staffing stayed at
appropriate levels, turkey as well as other poultry and livestock plants were able to continue operations
as usual. As Congress and the Administration may in the future fail to reach agreement on budget and
spending, NTF will remain vigilant to ensure FSIS has the funding it needs to keep inspectors in plants
and establishments operating.
Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection Rule had NTF marshaling all its regulatory,
legislative and communications resources to make sure all stakeholders understood the food safety
benefits of USDA’s proposed rule modernizing the poultry inspection system. As the next logical step in
evolution of poultry inspection, the rule focuses USDA inspectors on microbial sampling, scientific tests
and verifying processing plant procedures – while a poultry company’s employees take initial
responsibility for sorting the birds, with inspectors having authority to halt plant work that fails to meet
federal standards. NTF helped educate members of Congress and the general public about the rule’s
benefits. Highlighting turkey production’s pro-active enhancement in worker training, technology and
equipment, NTF continues to support the option for plants to participate in the new system. USDA
hopes to finalize the rule in 2014.
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Micro Working Group overall participation continued to increase in 2013, rising to 15 ground and
21 carcass establishments submitting data by the end of the year. Additional data collection started this
past year as NTF began receiving sufficient data submission for Salmonella in mechanically-separated
turkey (MST) to begin reporting within the Micro Data charts. 2014 will see industry data further refined
to provide even more information for NTF members.
PHIS, the Public Health Information System helps the poultry industry’s response and review of
noncompliance records and filing of appeals. NTF worked to gain acceptance and widespread use of the
system to view, export to a PDF, and print reports of sampling results, noncompliance records, and the
establishment profile.
Live Production
EPA disclosure of personal information in response to activist groups’ request for farm
operation documents created an uproar throughout the poultry and meat industry. The release
included farming families’ names, phone numbers and confidential information on the farm location,
permitting status, number and type of animals and number of acres. NTF joined other groups in
meeting with top EPA officials to express outrage about the detail of personal information released by
EPA. EPA officials responded by acknowledging their error and promising to do all within their power to
prevent such a release in the future.
National Poultry Improvement Plan importance was effectively conveyed to officials in Congress
and federal agencies during a coordinated series of high-profile discussions after the program faced
potentially disruptive staffing and governance changes. The united front presented by NTF and other
national and state poultry groups had immediate results: USDA reaffirmed its commitment to the
program’s work of diagnostic research in the control of poultry disease.
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Turkey Health and Welfare
Antibiotics regulatory policy is undergoing its biggest change in decades, and NTF has been on the
forefront of the process, working with FDA officials to help ensure that critical medicines remain
available to turkey producers. In addition to meeting with top leaders at FDA’s Center for Veterinary
Medicine, NTF has worked to gather regulators, producers and industry veterinarians to discuss the
impact of FDA’s Guidance 213, which seeks to phase out “production” uses of antibiotics, FDA officials
finalized the guidance document at year’s end and also released its proposed Veterinary Feed Directive
rule. The agency responded to several NTF comments in drafting the proposal.
Histostat, the sole preventative treatment for the fatal blackhead disease in turkeys, is targeted for
FDA study after consumer activist groups claimed alarm over the naturally occurring organic arsenic
ingredient in the drug. NTF has made certain that policymakers at FDA are aware of the drug’s
importance to our industry. Additionally, NTF worked with a New York Times reporter to ensure her final
story was balanced; pointing out that the drug is FDA-approved as safe because no traces of the drug
remain in turkeys at marketing.
ADUFA, (Animal Drug User Fee Act) authorizes FDA to collect fees for certain animal drug applications
and permit pharmaceutical companies to pay FDA a user fee to hire additional technical staff. The fee
system helps FDA approve future animal health products without burdening taxpayers. NTF worked to
ensure timely reauthorization of the legislation.
2013 Guidelines for Euthanasia of Turkeys were completed and approved by the Turkey Health
and Welfare Committee and the Executive Committee in July. During the 2013 NTF Annual Convention,
the Executive Committee recommended that NTF reassess its “Guidelines for Euthanasia of Turkeys” in
an effort to begin moving away from manual blunt force trauma as a preferred method of euthanasia.
Members of both the Turkey Health and Welfare and Live Production committees, as well as other
member volunteers, worked on the document to revise and update it.
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Exports
Restoring member access to the Russian market has been a significant area of NTF work since
February 2013 when Russia banned the import of protein from animals fed ractopamine. NTF efforts, in
coordination with USA Poultry Egg & Export Council (USAPEEC), resulted in several positive steps
forward. US and Russian food safety agency heads agreed that restoring turkey exports is a high
priority, and arranged in-person audits of turkey plants by Russian experts this past December, less than
a year after trade was halted. NTF and USAPEEC made the successful case for USDA’s Foreign
Agricultural Service and Food Safety Inspection Service to allow testing for ractopamine, and worked
with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service to develop an international protocol for testing.
Pursuing trade with New Zealand and Australia, NTF and USAPEEC have also worked closely on
relationships at the New Zealand embassy. NTF has reignited a dialog between the US and New
Zealand that has led to specific requests from New Zealand companies for US turkey product.
Significant documentation submitted to the US government for approval – once finalized – will be
presented to the government of New Zealand. Additional work remains, but NTF is cautiously optimistic
of steps toward removing trade barriers in New Zealand, setting the stage for future options in the
larger market, Australia.
China has periodically closed the door on turkey imports when states have reported low-pathogenic
strains of Avian Influenza. NTF’s work with USAPEEC has sought to clearly establish the safety of US
poultry products, and ensure the bans are lifted and that all companies receive fair and accurate testing
once product reaches China.
The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade proposal continues to have NTF support, even as NTF
and poultry groups have been vocally critical when negotiations stalled on the insistence of partner
nations to raise barriers to US exports of turkeys. NTF is a member of the recently formed Agriculture
Task Force for the existing US Business Coalition for TPP.
As the U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council Agriculture and Food subcommittee
sole poultry representative, the NTF role on behalf of turkey industry concerns harmonized standards
across our northern border. Especially relevant to NTF members is zoning, in the event of a foreign
animal disease outbreak, as well as combatting any issues with live birds crossing the border.
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Worker Safety and Health/Human Resources
Opposition to Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection by the union for USDA
inspectors has centered on chemical exposure from the established use of antimicrobials in chillers, such
as chlorine and peracetic acid (PAA), as well as on-line and off-line reprocessing to control pathogens
and improve food safety. NTF and US Poultry have established an ongoing information-sharing
relationship with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to provide accurate
scientific and technical data.
Hours of Service regulations have caused a conflict of needs when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration sought to restrict certain long-haul truck drivers’ hours. The agency later realized the
hazard of half-hour additional exposure of animals to extreme temperatures, after receiving a petition
from NTF and several other regional and national livestock and poultry producer groups.
Donning and Doffing – the time employees are paid for changing work clothes – was supported by
NTF in a Supreme Court case that agreed safety gear is part of the routine. Meatpacking and poultry
processing worker unions now argue for adding paid time for protective gear, after negotiating
collective-bargaining agreements about work clothes.
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Communications and Marketing
Through the Communications and Marketing Committee, NTF proactively promotes and protects the value
of turkey in the marketplace, preparing a comprehensive public relations program of communicating and
marketing, to speak with one voice for a variety of stakeholders.
Consumer Reports Article
NTF faced a formidable challenge in late April when Consumer Reports magazine published an article
alleging high levels of microbial contamination in ground turkey purchased in supermarkets. The
magazine attempted to garner maximum attention to the article, distributing written and video news
releases to media across the nation. The video news release received wide distribution on local
television stations, many of which broadcast the release unedited and presented it as original reporting.
NTF mounted an aggressive counterattack, pointing out the numerous flaws in the article: Of the five
pathogens tested, only two (Salmonella and Campylobacter) present a significant public health threat,
but the tests showed little Salmonella and no Campylobacter in the ground turkey. The article also
alleged antimicrobial resistance, but most of the antibiotics tested had no widespread use in human
medicine – the one that is widely used has been banned in poultry for almost a decade.
NTF’s counterattack gained ground steadily. NTF’s response was picked up by some television stations
that were airing the video news release, as well as most of the major wire services. NTF’s response was
featured on the NBC Nightly News and in the Wall Street Journal. In the end, the Consumer Reports
media blitz failed to make a dent in ground turkey sales, as consumers remained confident in the
product’s safety and nutritional value.
Bonus Purchases
NTF worked effectively with members to secure USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service’s September
bonus purchase of $30 million in breast meat and whole birds. With the industry struggling under
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challenging market conditions and the high cost of feed, the opportunity to supply turkey products
recognized turkey’s value in supplying federal food and nutrition assistance and the correspondingly
beneficial market support.
National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation
Presentation of the National Thanksgiving Turkey to the President of the United States is an NTF
tradition that grows in meaning beyond simply an hour of national attention at the White House. “My
family came to appreciate that raising the National Thanksgiving Turkey for this presentation is an
opportunity for Americans to reflect on the season as a thoughtful and thankful country,” said NTF
Chairman John Burkel, Northern Pride grower from Badger, Minnesota. “Sharing in the tradition of
Thanksgiving, the president has reminded us of the blessings of a good harvest, and the capacity for
greatness and goodness in our nation.”
The presentation that began in 1947 with President Harry Truman has evolved into a “presidential
pardon” by President George H.W. Bush in 1989, and an online social media contest this past year
conducted by the White House for a public vote that selected “Popcorn” as the pardoned turkey. With
the alternate turkey, “Caramel,” the two toms reside at a new home in the rural Virginia countryside farm
estate, Morven Park, where former Virginia governor Westmoreland Davis raised prize-winning turkeys
in the 1930’s from one of the largest turkey flocks on the East Coast.
Education
Farm and Plant Production Tour
NTF members believe the best way to counter a false claim from animal rights’ activists is to increase
transparency about turkey production. NTF financed a 13-minute video narrated by renowned animal
welfare specialist, Dr. Temple Grandin. Working in cooperation with the American Meat Institute, the
video reveals the reality of raising and preparing turkeys at market for what it is: a modern process that
is humane, safe and efficient. The video is distributed to teachers and posted on NTF’s YouTube channel
– search for “Grandin turkeys” on the Internet.
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2013 “Turkey on the Menu” (T.O.M.) Awards
NTF presented its 11th annual "Turkey on the Menu" (T.O.M.) Awards at the Annual Convention in
San Diego, recognizing food service providers who best featured innovative turkey on the menu
by category:
• Fast Food - Arby's, nominated by Jennie-O Turkey Store
Subway, nominated by West Liberty Foods
• Full Service - Sweetwater Chophouse, nominated by Cooper Farms
• Midscale - The Good Egg, nominated by Perdue Farms Incorporated
• Quick Casual - Specialty's Café and Bakery, nominated by Foster Farms
• Supermarket Foodservice - Wegman's, nominated by Butterball, LLC
Outreach
NTF re-launched its EatTurkey.com website in August 2013. The redesigned website reflects the NTF
2013-2017 Strategic Plan for a rebalanced approach of communications, marketing and promotion of
turkey. NTF successfully transformed its social media presence in 2013 to focus on family-centered
audience interests posting on Facebook, and business-oriented immediate news for Twitter followers.
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Executive Committee
NTF expresses sincere gratitude for service on the 2013 Executive Committee
Chairman: John Burkel, Northern Pride, Inc.
Vice Chairman: Gary Cooper, Copper Farms
Secretary-Treasurer: Jihad Douglas, Aviagen Turkeys
Immediate Past Chairman: Steve Willardsen, Cargill Value Added Meats
Matt Cook, Norbest
Richard Huisinga, Wilmar Poultry Company
Yubert Envia, Foster Farms
Ron Kardel, West Liberty
Ruth Kimmelshue, Cargill Value Added Meats
Mark McKay, Coleman Natural/Perdue Farms
Glenn Leitch, Jennie-O Turkey Store
Walter Pelletier, Butterball, LLC
Ron Prestage, Prestage Farms, Inc.
John Reicks, Hillshire Brands
Jeff Sveen, Dakota Provisions
Carl Wittenburg, Protein Alliance
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Committee Chairmen
Communications and Marketing Committee
John Reicks, Hillshire Brands
Carl Wittenburg, Protein Alliance
Mark McKay, Coleman Natural/Perdue Farms
Technical & Regulatory Committee
Matt Cook, Norbest
Michael Rybolt, Hillshire Brands
Doris Siefring, Cooper Farms
Legislative Committee
John Burkel, Northern Pride, Inc.
Turkey Health & Welfare
Eric Gonder, Goldsboro Milling
Live Production
Ron Prestage, Prestage Farms
TURPAC Committee
John Burkel, Northern Pride, Inc.
Member Services Committee
Jihad Douglas, Aviagen Turkeys
Worker Safety & Health Committee
Mike Klun, Cargill Value Added Meats
Purchasing Managers Committee
Tony Barnes, Cargill Value Added Meats
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2013 Board of Directors
ALABAMA
Rebecca Bates Sloane
ARKANSAS
Shane Acosta
Tim Kasinger
Ruth Kimmelshue
Jason Witt
CALIFORNIA
Willie Benedetti
Ira Brister
Yubert Envia
DELAWARE/
MARYLAND
Michael Vance
ILLINOIS
Robert Kauffman
INDIANA
Al Jansen
Peter Kent
Tom Schaffer
Phil Seger
Ted Seger
IOWA
Ron Kardel
John Reicks
Noel Thompson
MICHIGAN
John Janssen
Harold Walcott
OHIO
Gary Cooper
Terry Wehrkamp
MINNESOTA
Rahn Annis
Gene Brownfield
John Burkel
Richard Huisinga
Duane Jaenicke
Glenn Leitch
Kent Meschke
Carl Wittenburg
SOUTH CAROLINA
Ray Cheeks
Ron Prestage
Chad Starnes
MISSOURI
Alice Johnson
David Kenyon
Joe Nalley
NEBRASKA
Bill Bevans
NORTH CAROLINA
Rod Brenneman
Kerry Doughty
Bob Johnson
Ronnie Parker
Walter Pelletier
John Prestage
Scott Prestage
NORTH DAKOTA
Sharlene Wittenburg
SOUTH DAKOTA
David Waldner
Ruben Waldner
TEXAS
Wesley Carter
UTAH
Matt Cook
Terry Prestwich
VIRGINIA
Steve Bazzle
Mark McKay
Jim Mason
Tim Maupin
WISCONSIN
Richard Carlson
Chad Larson
DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE
Aidan Connolly
Jihad Douglas
Bill Goerich
Paul Hill
Bill Hodge
Rich Hogrefe
Gerald Lessard
Mark Moshier
Michael Murphy
Maury Ore
Doug Prohaska
Carlos Putnam
Don Smith
Jeff Sveen
Lynn Tenold
Ross Thoreson
Allen Traywick
Barry Uncles
Tony Volk
DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Bill Bates
G. Yan Ghazikhanian
Pete Hermanson
Ted Huisinga
Marvin Johnson
Vance Larson
Gordon Maxwell
Marilyn McAlpine
John McDade
Ray Norling
Bill Prestage
Martin Rich
Norm Rich
Richard Shinn
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NTF Staff
Joel Brandenberger, President
Damon Wells, Senior Vice President, Government Relations
Lisa Wallenda Picard, Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
Keith Williams, Vice President, Communications and Marketing
Jennifer Zukowski Dansereau, Vice President, Member Services
Leslee Oden, Manager, Legislative Affairs and TURPAC Director
Andrew Bailey, Manager, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
Kimmon Williams, Manager, Public Relations
Courtney Mallory, Coordinator, Member Services
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N A T I O N A L
F E D E R A T I O N
National Turkey Federation
1225 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20005
Telephone: 202-898-0100
Fax: 202-898-0203
www.EatTurkey.com
facebook.com/NationalTurkeyFederation
twitter.com/TurkeyGal