Iowa Turkey Federation

08/25/2026

🦃 That’s a wrap on the Iowa State Fair! 🎡

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who stopped to visit with the Iowa Turkey Federation throughout the fair! We loved seeing so many familiar faces and meeting new ones along the way.

From watching the Iowa Turkey Federation team cook up delicious turkey recipes in the kitchen, to seeing Lindsey, the Blonde Butcher, show everyone how to properly cut a turkey, hearing from Iowa turkey farmers during our farmer interviews, and connecting with families at the Food & Family Project - it was an incredible week celebrating Iowa’s turkey industry.

Thank you for stopping by, asking questions, learning more about Iowa turkey, and helping make this year’s fair one to remember!

Until next year, Iowa! 🦃🌽

08/20/2026

Citrus Smoked Turkey for the win! 👏Smoked turkey wins from over 40 entries at the Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest. Having sampled this entry - simple seasoning paired with meticulous attention to smoking - created juicy and tender turkey perfect for the center of the plate.

08/13/2026

We are so excited to welcome The Blonde Butcher! See you soon at the Iowa State Fair!

IOWA STATE FAIR — HERE WE COME! 🦃🎡💗

I’m trading the butcher shop for the Iowa State Fair stage this week, and we’re TALKING TURKEY!

Join me **Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 11:00 AM** for live demos, turkey tips, whole-bird butchery, and plenty of ideas to help you get more out of your turkey.

And this year we’ve got something NEW! 👀
📖 **A brand-new recipe book** packed with recipes you’ll actually want to make!

Come find us with the **Iowa Turkey Federation**, grab a recipe book, watch a live demo, ask your butcher questions, and have a little fun with us at the fair.

🦃 Thursday — 11:00 AM
🦃 Friday — 11:00 AM
🦃 Saturday — 11:00 AM

If you’re headed to the Iowa State Fair, **COME SEE US!** 💗

TurkeyTips FarmToTable ButcherLife

08/11/2026

🦃 Find the Iowa Turkey Federation at the Iowa State Fair! ❤️🤍💙

We’re bringing Iowa turkey to the fair, and we’d love to see you! Stop by and meet the people behind your turkey, learn more about Iowa’s turkey industry, and grab some great food along the way.

👩‍🍳 IN THE KITCHEN
📅 Thursday, Friday & Saturday
⏰ 11:00 AM

We’ll be cooking up delicious turkey recipes with Lindsey “The Blonde Butcher”, sharing tips and tricks, and giving away FREE Iowa Turkey Federation cookbooks! You can also check out Lindsey’s turkey-cutting tutorials on the Iowa Turkey Federation YouTube channel. 🔪🦃

🐔 ANIMAL LEARNING CENTER
Come see the turkeys brought by Iowa State University and learn more about the birds that make Iowa a leader in turkey production.

👨‍🌾 FARMER INTERVIEWS
📅 Thursday, Friday & Saturday
⏰ 2:00 PM
📍 Animal Learning Center

Come hear directly from Iowa turkey farmers and learn what it takes to raise turkeys right here in Iowa!

Three days. Two great locations. Plenty of turkey! 🦃❤️

📍 Make the Iowa State Fair part of your turkey tour!

08/07/2026

These toms are getting ready for their time in the Animal Learning Center at the Iowa State Fair.

Before arriving, they receive a beak and toe treatment—an important management practice that helps protect birds from injuring one another as they grow.

If you've ever wondered how commercial turkeys are raised or wanted to see a tom in person, make sure to stop by the Animal Learning Center. Thank you ISU for supporting learning all over the state!

The Iowa State University Turkey Farm will be exhibiting 2 toms in the Iowa State Fair Open Poultry Show on August 16. In preparation for the show, the turkeys received a beak treatment and toe treatment by Jahni Harn, a former animal science undergraduate student and incoming student at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State.

Just a reminder for 4-H and FFA exhibitors to check the toes and beaks of your birds prior to your show.

07/28/2026

The heat has been brutal. A good reminder from our friends to the North.

Extreme heat impacting your flocks? Begin documenting immediately.
If you are experiencing heat related losses during this recent heatwave, it's important to have documentation for the USDA's Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP): https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/disaster-recovery/livestock-indemnity-program-lip

Contact your local FSA office for assistance: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices

07/21/2026

Poultry 101 is in session! Dr. Terry Olson and Dr. Ben Wileman shared their expertise and passion for the turkey industry.

05/12/2026

Have your tried a Freshwich?

Grab-and-go is evolving. Discover how West Liberty Foods and Lineage built a smarter, fresher sandwich model that helps delis optimize operations and meet demand.

04/29/2026

Lindy Froebel with NTF shares her opinion: "Us must strengthen its toolkit to outpace HPAI"

"To truly get ahead of this disease, we need to continue expanding the tools available, and challenging ourselves to act with urgency, embrace innovation and globally lead with bold, science-driven decisions that move beyond the status quo.

This includes advancing science-based approaches to HPAI vaccination and ensuring that any new tools are implemented in a way that supports both animal health and a more resilient supply chain without significantly compromising access to international trade. These are complex issues that require thoughtful coordination across government, industry and global partners."

Lindy Froebel of the National Turkey Federation says the industry has strengthened biosecurity, surveillance and coordination with USDA, but the persistence of HPAI shows that the U.S. will need to expand science‑based tools to stay ahead of the virus.