The
Alberta Turkey Producers Board was formed on January 6, 1967. Together with industry partners, the Alberta Turkey Producers
help to regulate, promote and educate consumers about today’s
turkey. The organization is governed by a board of five directors,
and represents approximately 55 producers in Alberta.
The Board consists of five directors, who are elected by licensed
turkey producers. Each board member has a limited tenure of two, three-year
terms in office. The elected board selects a Chairman and Vice-Chairman,
and two board members are appointed to represent Alberta's interests
at the national level.
AUTHORITY
The
Board is authorized to regulate and control the production and promotion
of turkeys in Alberta. Provincial quotas are set and agreed upon by
the Canadian Turkey Marketing Agency. Once set, the Alberta board
must ensure the province's producers only produce and market turkeys
within this national allocation.
A BRIEF
HISTORY
The
majority of Canadian marketing boards were formed to address several
fundamental problems which existed in the Canadian agriculture sector.
Market concentration, coupled with violent price swings, encouraged
farmers to have a voice in their destiny.
Before the formation of the Alberta Turkey Producers, growers were
subject to limited marketing opportunities (a feature of the Canadian
agriculture sector) as well as boom and bust periods. As a result,
the entire industry suffered from instability. Having relatively short
production cycles, turkey producers could - and in many cases did
- experience several cycles of depressed prices. As a result, feed
companies, hatcheries, food processors and producers were leery to
invest in the industry. The formation of the Alberta Turkey Producers
created a more stable environment, encouraging investment from industry
partners.
Today,
Alberta's producers are the most efficient in Canada.
Today, Alberta's producers are the most efficient in Canada. Our provincial
processors are world class, operating modern plants featuring state
of the art technology. Alberta's largest processor also manufactures equipment for both the Canadian and
US markets.
In Alberta, the turkey industry is characterized by a high degree
of cooperation between producers and processors. The major players
understand their roles in maintaining a viable agriculture sector
which contributes to the province's economy. This high degree of cooperation
is extended to the national level, allowing the provincial systems
to work effectively.
Both producers and processors are represented at the national level
by their respective agencies. Producers are represented by the Canadian
Turkey Marketing Agency (CTMA), which was formed in 1974. The CTMA
coordinates national production, working closely with the processors
and the National Farm Products Marketing Council (NFPMC). The Canadian
turkey industry has checks and balances to ensure high quality turkeys
are available at a reasonable price.
Federally, the Department of External Affairs operates a special office
which issues import permits to Canadian processing firms unable to
access high quality Canadian turkey at a reasonable price. To date,
there have been very few permits issued reflecting the Canadian turkey
industry's ability to serve our own market.
The
Alberta Turkey Producers Board was formed on January 6, 1967. 
The
Board is authorized to regulate and control the production and promotion
of turkeys in Alberta. Provincial quotas are set and agreed upon by
the Canadian Turkey Marketing Agency. Once set, the Alberta board
must ensure the province's producers only produce and market turkeys
within this national allocation.
The
majority of Canadian marketing boards were formed to address several
fundamental problems which existed in the Canadian agriculture sector.
Market concentration, coupled with violent price swings, encouraged
farmers to have a voice in their destiny. 
