Time to talk turkey production

For agriculture, it is that time of year that we talk turkey. Turkey production in the U.S. has been affected by the avian influenza for the past several years, but there are plenty of turkeys available for this year's Thanksgiving. From January to September 2023, the U.S. has produced 4.11 billion pounds of turkey meat, a 5% increase from the same period a year ago. Minnesota traditionally raises the most domestic turkeys in the U.S., about 37 million. North Carolina is the second largest producing state with 28 million. Two-thirds of the turkeys raised in the US come from six states: Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, and Virginia. Ohio ranks 9th in the number of domestic turkeys raised in the U.S — about six million birds. Historically, the top turkey producing counties in Ohio are Darke, Mercer and Paulding. Ohio turkey flocks annually consume about 4.4 million bushels of corn, most of it raised locally. The value of Ohio turkey production is about $150 million. Ohio turkey industry has an economic impact of $5.2 billion and responsible for the creation of 21,846 jobs. It takes about 28 days for a turkey egg to hatch and about 22 weeks for a tom turkey to reach market size. Turkey consumption generally increases the fourth quarter of the year because of Thanksgiving and Christmas but has become more popular throughout the year. Turkey meat ranks fourth behind chicken, beef, and pork as a protein source. The average American eats about 16.7 pounds of turkey each year. Nearly half of U.S. consumers eat turkey at least once every two weeks — fourth of that from deli meat. One survey showed that 88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving Day. The typical Thanksgiving turkey weighs about 16 pounds. In recognition of the American turkey producer, I want to share a list of turkey facts provided by the University of Illinois Extension: · Turkeys are native to Northern Mexico and the Eastern United States. · The Native Americans hunted wild turkey for its sweet, juicy meat as early as 1000 A.D. · Turkey feathers were used to stabilize arrows and adorn ceremonial dress, and the spurs on the legs of wild tom turkeys were used as projectiles on arrowheads. · Turkeys were domesticated in Mexico and brought to Europe in the 16th century. · Turkeys are believed to have been brought to Britain in 1526 by Yorkshire man William Strickland. He acquired six turkeys from American Indian traders and sold them for tuppence in Bristol. · Henry VIII was the first English King to enjoy turkey and Edward VII made turkey eating fashionable at Christmas. · In England, 200 years ago, turkeys were walked to market in herds. They wore booties to protect their feet. Turkeys were also walked to market in the United States. · A large group of turkeys is called a flock. · Wild turkeys were almost wiped out in the early 1900s. Today there are wild turkeys in every state except Alaska. · Turkey eggs are tan with brown specks and are larger than chicken eggs. · Baby turkeys are called pouts, male turkeys, toms and female turkeys, hens. · Tom turkeys have beards, which are black, hair-like feathers on their breast. Hens sometimes have beards, too. · Male turkeys gobble. Hens do not. They make a clicking noise. Gobbling turkeys can be heard a mile away on a quiet day. · Turkeys have been bred to have white feathers. White feathers have no spots under the skin when plucked. · Turkeys have a long, red, fleshy area called a snood that grows from the forehead over the bill. The fleshy growth under a turkey's throat is called a wattle. · Turkey is low in fat and high in protein. It has more protein than chicken or beef. White meat has fewer calories and less fat than dark meat. · Giblets are the heart, liver, and gizzard of a poultry carcass. Although often packaged with them, the neck of the bird is not a giblet. · Eating turkey does not cause you to feel sleepy after your Thanksgiving dinner. Carbohydrates in your dinner (or beverages consumed watching football) are the probable cause of sleepiness. · The five most popular ways to serve leftover turkey is as a sandwich, in stew, chili or soup, casseroles and as a burger. · The "turkey trot" ballroom dance was named for the short, jerky steps that turkeys take … and there is still time to sign up for the Women's Resource Center 13th Annual Turkey Trot 5k for November 23. As you sit down with friends and family this holiday, remember to thank a farmer for making this meal available and affordable. Happy Thanksgiving! Lentz is agriculture and natural resources educator with Ohio State University Extension Office — Hancock County.