HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Eating leftovers? We’ve got turkey trivia.
About 70 percent of Michigan’s turkeys are raised in West Michigan– Ottawa County to be exact. None are Thanksgiving turkeys, says Jeff Smith of Allegan-based Smith’s Turkey Farms, a member of the Michigan Allied Poultry Industries — which his dad helped found.
On average, each tom weighs 40 pounds.
“Everything that’s grown here in Michigan is further processed — it’s sliced meat, deli meat, a lot of that kind of stuff. But none of what we grow here is for Thanksgiving. Most of what you eat — as a whole bird, for Thanksgiving. is hens,” Smith said. “We grow all toms, here in Michigan.”
One big turkey misconception, he says, is producers pumps the birds full of growth hormones, which is not true. He said turkeys are routinely tested for those types of additives as well as salmonella and other infections.
As for serving leftover turkey — no cranberries, please.
“Absolutely not!” he said, laughing. “That’s like putting ketchup on steak.”
Hear the full interview: https://whtc.com/podcasts/whtc-morning-news-podcast/2232/talking-turkey-with-jeff-smith/
