Dakota Turkey Growers receives subfund money

Dakota Turkey Growers receives subfund money Dakota Turkey Growers, composed of 40 South Dakota Hutterite Colonies, has received $200,000 from the Value-Added Ag Subfund to study the feasibility of processing and marketing branded turkey products, Gov. Mike Rounds has announced.

"There is a tremendous opportunity here," Rounds said. "Of the 6.2 million turkeys raised by the colonies, nearly all of them are processed outside of South Dakota. We need to change that."

A steering committee representing the colonies is working with consultants to explore packaged and ready-to-cook products. If the initial study shows markets can be established, a second study will explore the feasibility of building a turkey processing plant in South Dakota.

Rounds said that if markets can be identified and a plant built, it will create jobs and capital investment.