Anyone wanting a fresh, free range turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas this year might want to get their orders in with local farmers while supplies last.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Karen Smith of North Valley Farm in Salmon Arm is fielding orders for her birds, with many of them already reserved since March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere typically isn\u2019t enough supply to meet the demand this time of year so not everyone will get a turkey if they wait too long,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peachland farmer Taryn Skalbania\u2019s neighbours are already starting to order turkeys from her flock to adorn their Thanksgiving tables on Oct. 13. She will have enough birds for her longtime customers but not many extras.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said this year some farmers will have less supply due to an avian flu outbreak in late winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll the baby chick and turkey suppliers were coming up short because they didn\u2019t have the birds to make the babies,\u201d Skalbania said. \u201cThe orders had to be cut or pushed back. I know many people didn\u2019t get their turkeys (chicks) or didn\u2019t get them when the wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Skalbania\u2019s own order was delayed by a month. They will still be big birds this year but not as big as usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the cost of farm fresh turkeys is greater than those at grocery stores, the birds are raised more humanely than their caged counterparts and have better taste and texture. The turkeys are not injected with hormones, antibiotics or growth stimulants like many commercial birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTheir bones are sturdier because they\u2019re weight bearing and not sitting in a cage all day which makes for a good broth,\u201d Skalbania said. \u201cThey have the right ratio of fat and muscle and the meat is so much denser. Commercial birds have less dense meat, they\u2019re very watery. So much water comes out of the animal. Mine are not, the juices stay in the bird.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The quality of farm fresh turkey is one of the reasons Smith started raising them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI bought one several years ago from the grocery store and to me it tasted like cardboard,\u201d she said. \u201cBecause my birds are running around in the sun eating natural foods they have firmer and juicier meat, it\u2019s just better eating.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said the current going rate among local turkey farmers is anywhere from six to nine dollars per pound. Both Skalbania and Smith are charging six dollars per pound this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To compare, a Grade A fresh turkey at Real Canadian Superstore is $3.49 per pound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTurkey prices have gone up about ten percent at the grocery stores since all this tariff uncertainty,\u201d Skalbania said. \u201cMy growing costs haven\u2019t increased that much, but I\u2019ve had to increase my prices a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Farmers have to balance the fluctuating costs of processing and grain and any losses incurred by less predictable variables like loss to predators, avian flu and weather extremes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a lifestyle to raise them and you have to love it,\u201d Smith said. \u201cThere are fluctuating variables every year, but we keep our costs as low we can for our customers.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both farmers are passionate about raising turkeys humanely and supporting the local economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOurs run around outside eating bugs and grass,\u201d Smith said. \u201cWe do have them enclosed with netting due to predatory birds. They have a fairly large area to run around and are moved from spot to spot for fresh grass.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Skalbania\u2019s flock waddles around her Peachland farm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re happy and healthy and have the best life,\u201d she said. \u201cThey have 14 acres and farm friends, and run around eating everything. Right now, my birds are running around the pasture chasing grasshoppers.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n