For the first time, Iowa State University exhibited poultry at the Iowa State Fair Open Poultry Show, showcasing two toms raised at the Stanley L. Balloun Turkey Teaching and Research Facility. The two toms were exhibited during the open poultry show on August 16th in the Poultry & Rabbit Building during the state fair.
This provided an opportunity to highlight the Department of Animal Science’s turkey research and teaching efforts at one of Iowa’s largest agricultural events - The Iowa State Fair.
One of the Iowa State turkeys, “Ty”, was named the 2026 Iowa State Fair Open Poultry Show Champion Turkey. The show was judged by Gary Rossman, and Bart Pals, an Iowa State alumnus and former North Central Poultry Board member, recognized Iowa State’s participation and thanked the university for its involvement.
This success was made possible through the efforts of Dr. Dawn Koltes, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science; Cameron Hall, graduate assistant and farm manager of the Stanley L. Balloun Turkey Teaching and Research Facility; and showman Jahni Harn, Veterinary Medicine first-year student and Iowa State animal science department alumna.
