Agriculture faces some “rather large animal health challenges,” says the new leader of the National Turkey Federation.

“We are working as diligently as we can to make sure we can find common-sense resolution to some very, very tricky and challenging things,” said Leslee Oden, president and CEO.

She took over the position July 1, replacing Joel Brandenberger, who retired after 17 years leading the Washington, D.C.-based organization.

Oden pointed to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which has been ongoing for several years and over the last decade, and avian metapneumovirus and avian reovirus.

HPAI is transmitted through the wild bird population, across the U.S. and worldwide.

“The risk is always going to be there,” Oden said. “We’ve had to adapt along with it. … We’re having to think more creatively and innovatively, and providing our growers and processors more solutions.”

With HPAI crossing over into livestock species, the federation is working with the dairy industry.

“We have a lot of knowledge and expertise; we’re trying to share that and be a collaborative partner,” Oden said. “It is a challenge we’re all going to have to address together.”

Turkey demand 

Turkey continues to be a staple during Thanksgiving and the holidays.

“We always want to encourage consumers that turkey is great all year round,” Oden said, pointing to increases in the ground turkey market. It remains one of the top deli meats, too.

The turkey industry is exploring advancements in barbecue.

The Turkey Smoke Series is a partnership with the Kansas City Barbecue Society to add turkey categories to barbecue competitions.

A ‘boots on the ground’ POV

Oden has been with the federation for nearly 15 years.

“I kind of knew what I was getting myself into here,” she said. “Having the experience of being really, truly boots on the ground, I have a unique perspective of what has worked in the past and (what) might work in the future.”

She showed broiler chickens through 4-H and FFA in Leona, Texas, possessing a love for animal agriculture “at a very young age.” 

She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in poultry science from Texas A&M University.

“I knew right away, for a small-town, East Texas kid, I could make a living working in the poultry industry,” she said. “Growing up around it, having neighbors that were contract broiler growers and just seeing the need of how we feed the world. That’s ultimately what sparked it.”

She joined the federation in 2009 as an intern after college, which launched her professional career in agriculture and politics.

“I absolutely fell in love with it,” she said. 

She returned in January 2010 as legislative affairs manager, advanced to director of legislative affairs in 2015 and was named senior vice president of legislative affairs in 2018.

Standing with turkey farmers

The recent challenges have taken “a huge mental and physical toll” on turkey farmers, Oden said.

“We here at NTF are there to stand with you, to stand alongside of you, to be that support you need during these challenging times,” she said. “We’re standing strong with you, we’re here to find solutions on your behalf.”