Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-09-20
MONTANA TURKEYS
FOR MONTANANS
MOVEMENT STARTED TO UTILIZE
STATE PRODUCT AS FAR AS
POSSIBLE
Extension Service Working Out Mar
keting Plans to Take Care OF Sur
plus by shipping to Eastern and
Coast Centers Of Population.

Montana raised turkeys for Mon
tana Christmas tables" might be thu
slogan of turkey raisers of the stat'
this year. For that is the plar
which the poultry men OF the state
are hoping to carry through success
fully with the assistance OF experts
of the Extension Service.
There is no reason whatever
remarked a poultry expert OF the
Montana extension service recently
why Montana markets cannot be
filled with home raised turkeys.
Surely the supply is sufficient, and
there Is hardly a doubt that con-
sumers will be glad to take advant-
age of an opportunity to obtain home
grown birds in preference TO those
shipped into the state.
Turkey raising as an industry in
the state has grown by leaps and
bounds In the last few years; there
are enough birds In Montana now
which will be OF a marketable mat
urity this fall to more than supply
the state demand. The Extension
Service is going TO put forth every
effort to assist turkey farmers In
marketing their birds and in making
1923 a real turkey year for them"
Other Markets Investigated
Since the supply exceeds the de-
mand, as official statements from the
experts show, other markets are be-
Ing considered. The markets of both
the east and the west have been in
vestigated with the view of giving
the raisers first hand information of
the best possibilities, 1t is likely
that excess birds will be sent to east
ern markets where prices are more
stable.
Since turkey raising In Montana is
still on a small scale, few farmers
have definite knowledge OF handling
their birds and preparing them for
shipment in large consignments. Ac-
cordingly the Extension Service has
planned for many schools or demon
~stration meetings in large turkey
raising centers over the state. These
schools will be held, according to
present plans, the last two weeks in
October.
At these demonstration meetings
improved methods of picking, pack
Ing and preparing birds for shipment
will be taught. II. f. Cushman,
poultry expert; Director F. S. Cooley
OF the Extension Service, and Joseph
Thwait, market expert from the east,
will conduct the demonstrations.
County agents will also assist In the
work.
Turkeys Have Done Well
Mr.. Thwait has an established rep
utation as a turkey market expert
and has been induced to come out
from Chicago for the sole purpose of
giving turkey raisers the advantage
of his knowledge and experience dur
ing the terms OF these schools. He Is
an expert on methods OF picking and
packing the birds and will give dem
o~nstrations along these lines. 1t is
the plan to reach every turkey raiser
OF Montana through these schools.
Turkeys have done exceedingly
we'll in the state this year. say the
poultry experts, despite the presence
OF some very amdp weather In some |
parts of the state in the spring and
the Matching periods. Prac-
every farmer has reported
fine success with his birds.
In some communities II will be pos
sible to ship several carloads OF birds.
the industry is being carried on upon
such a large SCALE while In others
probably not more than a carload or
half a carload will be marketed. In
localities turkey farming is car
ried on upon such a small scale that
IL will be advisable to market in
Montana altogether and not attempt
to ship any birds out of the state.