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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1995-10-04, Page 13October 4, 1995 Above, Harry Hayter, founder of Hayter's Turkeys, forefront, with family members Tom and sons Adam and Justin. Jayne Hayter, Frieda Hayter, Tom Ma- guire, Joanne Maguire and Sean Maguire. photo courtesy of Mirko Petricevic Right, Yvonne Bialek, plant manager of Hayter's Turkeys displays a 30 pound bird ready for Thanksgiving. t6titittg wn,te, ONTARIO JUNIOR CITIZENS ,pa ��u kitW Acte? Do you know a young person, aged 6 to 18 years, who is involved in worthwhile community service or a special person who is contributing, while coping with a physical or psychological limitation? Do you know a youth who has performed an act of heroism? The Ontario Community Newspapers Association with Canadian Airlines International as the patron, are looking to recognize these "good kids", the young people of our province who show a commitment to making life Netter for others. To nominate an individual or a group of young people, for the Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award, please contact this newspaper or the O.C.N.A. at 04161 844-0184. Nominations, for this year's awards, will be accepted until October 31, 1990. Every nominee will receive a certificate and up to 12 individuals and one group will be the recipients of a plaque presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year lapel pin, $200.00 and a family portrait with the Lieutenant Governor. NOMINATION FORMS - are available by contacting this Community Newspaper or O.C.N.A. (416) 844-0184. ONTARIO JUNIOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS a pint community project of Canadian ('ate Klem Atrinx'N Inkrnaiktttttl Hat'ter's Turkeys tapping into a year-round market Founded in 1948, Hayter's Turkeys is a family run farm. Chris Skalkos T -A staff DASHWOOD - As many fam- ilies sit down for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner next week, the centre of attention will no doubt be the golden brown turkey on the dinner table. For many, Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only two occa- sions they enjoy a turkey meal; however, the bird's popularity is in- creasing as turkey consumption be- comes a year round choice among consumers. • Hayter Turkey Farm is the biggest supplier of turkey and tur- key products in Huron County. Originally founded in 1948 by Har- ry Hayter and now run by his son Tom, the 1,000 acre farm located in Dashwood is still a family run op- eration. Over 47 years the farm has grown from a modest Clock of 300 birds to an automated operation producing 60.000 turkeys a year. In 1990, Hayter Turkey expanded into the federal grower's market governed by Agriculture Canada. According to Joanne Maguire. Marketing Administrator and daughter �of Harry. the `move al- lowed them to export their" prod- ucts to other "federal plants and to other provinces. "It has broadened our markets creating more jobs and giving,us more options." said Maguire adding the expansion was necessary in or- der to become more efficient. "But we're still small enough to ac- commodate smaller custom or- ders." she said. • It has also increased the number of competitors as they encroach into other turkey markets. "When you spread out and pick up more customers you also pick up more competitors," said Ma- guire. Half of the farms fresh turkey products are distributed to grocery stores and butcher shops as whole birds. mostly in Ontario. while the other half are sold as canner packs to the frozen market. What gives Hayter Turkey the competitive edge is their ability to process their turkeys on site. They receive turkeys as day-old poults which are kept in environmentally controlled 5rooder barns for five weeks. The birds are then moved to grow -out barns until they have matured. A hen fully matures in 13 to 15 weeks and average 17 Ihs while toms take 16 to 18 weeks and can weigh up to 30 lbs. The birds are slaughtered, de -feathered, eviscerated and packaged on sit. at a rate of 250-350 per hour. "We process all our turkeys grown on our farm. This allows us to utilize our plant better and it also enables us to do custom pro- cessing for other farmers who bring their turkeys here." said Maguire. Two of the main challenges the Hayter Farm must overcome every year is the inevitable loss of birds to heat and disease. Be- cause turkeys don't perspire they are sus- ceptible " to heat: however. the farm's modern pole barns are designed to counter the dam- aging affect of summer heat spells. "The ventilated 'buildings have helped save birds from the heat and has allowed us to keep turkeys in the winter," said Maguire add- ing they have lost only a few birds to the unusually hot and humid summer. Maguire said fighting disease is a constant challenge considering the different number of diseases the birds are prone to and how quickly it can spread among the flock. She said the key clement to combating disease is constant monitoring. "Our turkeys arc monitored fre- quently during the day. That's where expertise counts. Harry is an experienced farmer, he can tell if the flock is healthy just by the noise they make," said Maguire. "You have to really watch them, they're not easy to raise." The supply and demand of the turkey industry is constantly fluc- tuating, with peak seasons in Oc- tober and December. Surprisingly enough Thanksgiving is not the busiest time of year. Maguire said the Hayter farm produces 6.000 more turkeys for Christmas than Thanksgiving. "People like to give out turkeys as gifts and it's a popular main course at Christmas parties." ex- plains Maguire. Of the hen and -the tom. Maguire "We hav really tr a ket for turkey c sumptio said consumers prefer the female hird claiming they taste Netter. hut, other than the physical size and markings of the hird. Maguire said there is no difference in the meat. Another misconception con- sumers often have is the hird is only fresh the same day it's slaugh- tered. Maguire said they arc chilled immediately preserving the freshness for seven to f0 days in proper refrigeration. Other than whole birds. Hayter Turkey has created a "new genera- tion" of turkey products for year- round consumption. Burgers, sau- sages, breast roasts, breaded schnitzel and fillets are made from turkey meat and ac- cording to Maguire, consumers are starting to recognize the nutri- tional value of these products. "Ground turkey can he substituted in place of gt'ound beef for spaghetti sauce. casseroles or chili. It has Tess fat content than ground beef and it tastes better," she said. The new Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating cites turkey meat as being a leader in the meat class while providing an excellent source of protein. For example. a 90 gram serving of white turkey meat has only three grams of fat compared 'to six grams of fat in beef. It also has the least amount of calories among other meats such as pork, chicken and fish. Unlike many other food products. Hayter Turkey does not use ar- tificial preservatives or mono- sodium glutamate, commonly known as MSG, a crystalline salt used to enhance the flavor of food. "We only use natural ingredients in all our products and that seems to be a growing trend among con- sumers," said Maguire. Whether it's for the barbecue. fry- ing pan or the oven. Hayter Turkey has managed to adapt their product for a variety of consumers making turkey a popular attraction on any dinner table and for any occasion. "We have really tried to create a market for regular turkey con- sumption and I think we've done that," Maguire said. e . ried to mar - regular on - 11..." TRAILERS FOR SALE All makes and models to suit your needs Easy Hauler (Deluxe 15" rims and new tires, shown $400 extra) 2" plank flat deck (6'10"x16'), 15" used tires, steel rails w/pockets, jack, safety chains, lights, NEW "TORFLEX" tandem axle, 7000 Ib. capacity 1 5 ton HYDRAULIC DUMP Single axle, 6 -bolt 15" rims, new implement tires, 6'6"x10' deck, jack, H.D. design °24950° 4 ton HYDRAULIC DUMP Single axle, 5'. x 7' deck w/6" sides, jack, 6 -bolt 15" rims with used car tires '219500 CALL TODAY FOR DETAILS 5 ton HYDRAULIC DUMP Single axle, 6 -bolt 15" rims, new implement tires, 6'6"x10' deck, 52695°° BOMB FARM EQUIPMENT - EXETER, ONTARIO Sales, Service & Rentals since 1932 (519) 235-2121 1-800.265-2121 2355-2791