Turkey is Big Business in the Midwest
Four of the top six turkey production states in the U.S. are in the Midwest, led by Minnesota. In Illinois, the turkey industry has a smaller but important footprint. The Prairie State includes a concentration of independent growers in the Peoria and Morton areas, along with a couple of USDA-inspected processing plants.
The lack of processing plants is a major impediment to expanding the poultry industry in Illinois. Building a plant is very expensive, and finding enough employees willing to work is another issue. Most Illinois turkey producers are contract growers for large, integrated farms in Iowa and Indiana.
Illinois, which produces about five million turkeys per year, is home to a number of turkey farms. Yordy Turkey Farm in Morton produces turkeys through a 100 percent natural lifecycle. Turkeys are raised in an open, climate-controlled atmosphere and fed all-natural corn and grain. The turkeys at Yordy receive zero hormones, antibiotics or artificial growth enhancers. Every turkey is USDA state-inspected and certified. An assortment of turkey products can be purchased directly from Yordy Turkey Farm.
“Some of the highest quality turkey products in the nation are produced at Yordy Turkey Farm in Morton,” stated Rep. Bill Hauter (R-Morton). “The owners and employees at Yordy do it right, and you can taste the difference at the dinner table.”
Nestled in the gently rolling plains of northwestern Illinois is Windsweep Farm in Dixon. Owned and operated by the Sheaffer family for 70 years, the fourth generation now carries on the tradition. All animals at Windsweep, including turkeys, are raised naturally and humanely with no hormones or antibiotics. All diets are 100 percent vegetarian and feed is homegrown.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy in Illinois,” stated Rep. Bradley Fritts (R-Dixon). “And right here in Dixon, Windsweep Farm and the Sheaffer family embody hard work and tradition. They care about the process and raise their animals the right way.”
Roth Turkey Farm is located in the Livingston County village of Forrest. Roth is an independent, fourth-generation, family-owned and operated turkey farm. Fresh turkeys are offered to retail customers during the holiday season. The roots of Roth Turkey farm can be traced back to 1965, when Les and Ruth Roth purchased the property and began raising poultry. In 1988, turkeys began being raised in a remodeled facility and another building was constructed.
Other turkey producers in Illinois include Mint Creek Farm, which is located in rural Ford County near Cabery. Mint Creek is an organic-pasture-based livestock and poultry farm, serving premium, grass-fed meats for the Chicago area. Their products are available at local farmers’ markets and select grocery stores, and their products can also be shipped to anywhere in the U.S. Harry and Gwen Carr started the farm in 1992, and it has grown from 50 to 220 acres. Their organic pastures are home to sheep, cows, pigs, goats, turkeys, chickens, and ducks. Mint Creek offers a robust selection of turkey products.
Middle Creek Farms was established in 2019 in Clinton. Middle Creek produces chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigs, and goats. Their products can be found at local farmers’ markets or on-site at the farm. Local delivery is available for customers in DeWitt, Macon, and McLean counties. The farm was founded by Janie and Frank Paslaski.
Hollyhock Hill Farms is family-owned and located in Sterling, and they specialize in the production of free-range chickens, turkeys, eggs, and seasonal produce. Their products are available at the farm or at the Twin City Farmers’ Market in downtown Sterling.
Illinois lost a heritage turkey farm last year, unfortunately. Kauffman Turkey Farms, or Ho-ka, was founded in 1933 by Howard Kauffman. After operating for 90 years and becoming the largest turkey farm in the state, the Kauffman family decided in 2023 to retire its turkey growing, farming, processing, and retail operations. Ho-ka, located in Waterman, was one of the last remaining independent, family-owned, and operated turkey farms in the country with its own dressing plant. An auction to sell off the farm and turkey processing equipment was held late last year.
Overall turkey production in the U.S. fell yearly from 2017-2022, from 245 million heads in 2017 to 210 million in 2022. In 2023, turkey production bounced back and increased by four percent to 219 million. Production in Minnesota increased by five percent to 39 million, followed by North Carolina (29 million), Arkansas (27.5 million), Indiana (20 million), Missouri (18 million) and Virginia (15.4 million) in the top six.