5 people-related challenges for turkey breeder managers

Gerald Duncan, agriculture operations advisor for Cargill Turkey Products, believes that five of the biggest challenges facing turkey breeder and hatchery managers all have a common denominator: people.

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Gerald Duncan | Photo by Roy Graber
Gerald Duncan | Photo by Roy Graber

Gerald Duncan, agriculture operations adviser for Cargill Turkey Products, believes that five of the biggest challenges facing turkey breeder and hatchery managers all have a common denominator: people.

While speaking at the 2018 Midwest Poultry Federation Convention in Minneapolis on March 13, Duncan told managers in attendance addressing these challenges is a matter of “executing the basics.”

“If you focus on these things every day when you walk through the door, you’ll be doing your job,” said Duncan.

1. Staffing

Duncan, when speaking to hatchery and breeder managers, says the No. 1 complaint is never how many eggs the turkeys are laying, or the current disease threat. It is staffing.

The turkey industry, and the workplace as a whole, has changed a lot over the last 30 years, Duncan said. Turnover rates are high, and so are employee expectations. Gone are the days when a worker was asked to do something and they did it without question. Now employees want to know why they are expected to finish a certain task.

Duncan referred to “help wanted” signs that touted signing bonuses, but those bonus offers have done little good to attract good employees.

Duncan said staffing challenges will continue to be an issue in coming years, so it is best to try to understand the issues as well as possible.

2. Safety

Workers want to know they are safe on the job and that their employers take safety seriously.

“Is safety the first word out of your mouth in the hiring process? It should be,” said Duncan.

Duncan told convention attendees that workers want to have input in the safety program. That input should be taken into consideration, and managers should follow through with solid ideas.

3. Biosecurity

“A biosecurity plan is only as good as the execution by its people,” Duncan said.

Turkey facilities need to have a solid program developed that can be easily communicated. Managers should take the time to help people understand the expectations of the program.

Good biosecurity tools and materials need to be provided as well, he said.

4. Animal welfare

A strong animal welfare program is particularly important, and equally important is that all employees fully understand and embrace it.

Duncan gave a metaphor saying today’s poults have been developed by leading geneticists and as a result are sophisticated, high-performance machines. In a way, these poults are like a Ferrari. But most people wouldn’t park their Ferraris in a hay barn.

Turkey hatchery and breeding facilities must have a zero-tolerance mindset when it comes to situations where the animals are not receiving the best conditions and treatment possible.

Continuous focus on animal welfare is also imperative. Duncan’s advice is to train, retrain, trust and verify.

5. Food safety

All workers must be fully versed on food safety programs and their importance. There cannot be any weak links, and no short cuts can be allowed.

“There are no trophies for second place with Salmonella,” said Duncan.

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