Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024 Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting
Turkey farmers see long-awaited rule going into effect — but without them
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will implement a long-awaited ruling to increase transparency for farmers who raise poultry for major meat companies this month. Poultry growers have complained that the system responsible for their pay, known as the tournament system, is volatile — making a living as a poultry farmer is increasingly difficult.
Turkey farmers were a part of the initial proposal, but the agency removed them from the ruling’s final language. The differences between the animals were too pronounced, the agency concluded.
While turkeys and chickens are different animals, turkey farmers and industry experts told Investigate Midwest that the pay system is similar. Removing turkey farmers from the USDA’s ruling was a lost opportunity to make the industry more fair for all growers, they added.
— John McCracken, reporter
Turkey growers left out of USDA payment reform say the decision is 'devastating'
By John McCracken, Investigate Midwest
In the current “tournament system,” neighboring turkey farms are pitted against each other, and growers have little information about how their payments from major meat packers are calculated. The federal government recently vowed reform but the changes will apply only to the chicken industry. Turkey growers will continue to deal with the same pitfalls.
Read more.
GRAPHIC: U.S. consumers spent more on food in 2022 than ever before
By Sky Chadde, Investigate Midwest
The amount of money U.S. consumers spend on food has increased by about 70% since 1997, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The cost of food has even outstripped the rate of inflation.
View the graphic.
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