Gobble gobble! It’s Thanksgiving time and that means one thing: turkey. But where does this beloved bird come from? Turns out a handful of states dominate the turkey game, supplying the majority of the birds that grace our holiday tables. Let’s take a deep dive into the world of turkey production and discover the states that are truly gobbling up the market.
The Big Six: Where Turkeys Rule the Roost
Six states stand tall as the undisputed champions of turkey production, accounting for a whopping two-thirds of the national output. These powerhouses are:
-
Minnesota: The undisputed king of the turkey throne, Minnesota boasts a staggering 44 million turkeys, making it the undisputed leader in the turkey game.
-
North Carolina: Coming in a close second, North Carolina clocks in with an impressive 33 million turkeys, proving it’s no slouch in the turkey department.
-
Arkansas: With over 15 million turkeys strutting their stuff, Arkansas earns its place as a major player in the turkey industry.
-
Indiana: Home to over 15 million turkeys, Indiana proves it’s got the chops to compete with the big boys in the turkey world.
-
Missouri: With over 15 million turkeys gobbling up the landscape, Missouri cements its position as a significant contributor to the nation’s turkey supply.
-
Virginia: Rounding out the top six, Virginia proudly boasts over 15 million turkeys, demonstrating its dedication to the turkey cause.
Beyond the Big Six: Other Notable Turkey Producers
While the Big Six dominate the turkey scene, other states deserve a shout-out for their contributions:
-
Iowa: With over 10 million turkeys, Iowa shows it’s no stranger to the turkey business.
-
California: Despite its reputation for sunshine and beaches, California surprisingly produces over 10 million turkeys, proving it’s got more than just Hollywood on its plate.
-
Pennsylvania: With over 10 million turkeys, Pennsylvania demonstrates its commitment to the turkey industry, showing it’s not just about cheesesteaks and pretzels.
-
Michigan: Home to over 10 million turkeys, Michigan proves it’s got the gumption to compete in the turkey game, showing it’s not just about cars and the Great Lakes.
-
West Virginia: With over 10 million turkeys, West Virginia demonstrates its dedication to the turkey industry, proving it’s not just about coal and mountains.
-
South Dakota: With over 10 million turkeys, South Dakota shows it’s got the grit to compete in the turkey world, proving it’s not just about Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.
Why These States Rule the Turkey Roost
So, what makes these states such turkey powerhouses? Several factors contribute to their success:
-
Favorable Climate: Turkeys thrive in temperate climates, and these states offer the ideal conditions for raising healthy birds.
-
Abundant Land: With vast expanses of land available, these states can accommodate large-scale turkey farms, allowing for efficient and cost-effective production.
-
Strong Agricultural Infrastructure: These states have well-established agricultural infrastructure, including feed mills, processing plants, and transportation networks, which support the turkey industry’s needs.
-
Experienced Farmers: These states have a long history of turkey farming, with generations of farmers passing down their knowledge and expertise.
The Gobble-licious Future of Turkey Production
The future of turkey production in the US looks bright, with demand expected to remain strong. These states are poised to continue their dominance, providing the nation with a steady supply of delicious turkeys for years to come. So, the next time you’re enjoying a juicy Thanksgiving turkey, remember the hardworking farmers and the dedicated states that bring this beloved bird to your table.
Happy Thanksgiving!
More Americans are eating turkey, too, as different cuts of turkey rise in popularity
Americans no longer just buy whole turkeys. Spokesman for the National Turkey Federation Kimmon Williams lists other popular turkey products as ground turkey, turkey breasts, and turkey deli slices.
Williams emailed me to say that, since the 1970s, turkey has ranked as the fourth most popular meat in the US and that, on average, Americans now consume 16 pounds of turkey annually, up from 8 pounds.
The majority of turkey consumed in the US still comes from supermarkets and retail outlets, but data from the National Turkey Federation indicates that turkey has been increasingly popular in the food service sector in recent years.
Alongside Minnesota and North Carolina, four other states are responsible for almost all turkey production in the US
The latest 2016 numbers from the USDA show that two-thirds of turkeys produced in the US hail from six states.
Minnesota leads the nation in turkey production, with 44 million turkeys. Next is North Carolina, with 33 million turkeys.
The remaining states are Virginia, Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, and Indiana, each of which contributes more than 15 million turkeys annually.
Overall, turkey production is up in 2016, which is good news. In 2015, American farmers suffered through the worst bout of avian flu in history. The epidemic killed nearly 50 million birds, many of which were chicken and turkeys. According to Fortune, the outbreak cost farmers nearly $191 million in lost revenue.
LIVE: ABC News Live – Monday, April 15
FAQ
Why are turkeys mostly grown in Minnesota?
Which U.S. state consumes the most turkey?
What is turkey the largest producer of?
Which state is the turkey production capital of the world?
Which states produce the most turkeys?
The leading turkey-producing states include North Carolina, Minnesota, Indiana, Missouri, and Arkansas. These states benefit from a combination of favorable climate conditions, available land, and well-established agricultural infrastructure that supports the large-scale raising of turkeys for meat.
Where is turkey production reported?
Value of turkey production: Data are reported annually in the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Poultry-Production and Value report. U.S. turkey meat production (ready-to-cook weight): Data are reported on the USDA, ERS Livestock and Meat Domestic Data web page.
Where are turkeys raised?
The United States is also the top turkey producer in the world. According to USDA statistics, American farmers raised 216.5 million turkeys last year, and the industry is valued at around $5.9 billion. But where exactly are these birds raised? According to the USDA, more than 75% of those birds hail from just eight states.
How many turkeys live in the United States?
There are roughly 100 million turkeys that live on farms across the United States. On Thanksgiving, we’re expected to eat 46 million of them. Turkeys live pretty much everywhere in the United States, as you can see in this map below — which uses 2012 data from the USDA. (That’s the last time the agency conducted an agricultural census.)