The states that raise the most head of turkeys arent necessarily the same states that produce the most pounds of turkey meat, according to a USDA report.
Which are the ten largest turkey producing states? That depends on whether your metric is the number of head raised in a year, or the number of pounds produced.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Poultry – Production and Value 2021 Summary report, released earlier this year, offers a look into turkey production in the top producing states based on turkeys placed for the period starting September 1, 2020, and ending August 31, 2021.
While Minnesota ranks as the largest turkey producing state in terms of birds raised, it is North Carolina that ranks highest in terms of pounds produced. Also, when you look at birds raised, California and Ohio are equal, tied as the ninth-largest producing states. Yet Ohio produces significantly more pounds of turkey, ranked eighth nationwide, while California ranks 11th. Michigan does not even rank among the top 10 states for head raised, yet it ranks ninth for pounds of turkey produced.
As Thanksgiving approaches, many Americans look forward to enjoying a roasted turkey with all the trimmings. But have you ever wondered where all these tasty birds come from? It turns out one state leads the nation by a wide margin in turkey production – Minnesota.
Minnesota has been the top turkey producing state for decades. Currently Minnesota raises over 44 million turkeys each year according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This represents over 20% of the total turkeys raised in the U.S. The next leading states are North Carolina, Arkansas, Indiana, and Missouri, each producing between 14 to 30 million turkeys annually.
So how did Minnesota become the turkey capital of America? The state has the ideal combination of climate, available land, and an agricultural tradition that enabled turkey farming to flourish there. Let’s look at why Minnesota is so well-suited for raising millions of turkeys.
Favorable Climate
Minnesota’s climate is beneficial for turkey farming in several ways. The state has hot, humid summers that turkeys thrive in. Cold winters also keep away diseases like Avian Flu. And Minnesota gets ample rainfall to grow the corn and soybeans used for turkey feed. The moderate temperatures and abundance of water make for good natural conditions to raise healthy birds.
Open Spaces
Raising millions of turkeys requires wide open spaces. Minnesota has over 51,000 farms spanning 26 million acres. There is plenty of room to accommodate large turkey barns and range areas. Turkeys also receive fresh air and sunshine in the barns featuring open sides. The spacious environment reduces stress and promotes growth.
Agricultural Tradition
Turkey farming has been part of Minnesota’s culture for over a century. In the 1920s and 30s, small turkey flocks became increasingly popular on Minnesota farms. This earned the state the nickname “The Land of 10,000 Lakes and 10,000 Turkeys.”
After World War II, demand for turkey meat grew and so did flock sizes. Family turkey farms evolved into commercial operations producing thousands of birds. This agricultural tradition was passed down through generations and fuelled the growth of Minnesota’s thriving turkey industry.
Turkey Processing Infrastructure
A strong processing infrastructure aids Minnesota’s leading production. Large poultry processing plants like Jennie-O Turkey Store, a subsidiary of Hormel Foods, are located in Minnesota. This allows for efficient processing and distribution of turkeys raised in the state.
The presence of commercial hatcheries, feed mills, equipment suppliers and technical service providers also supports the system of raising millions of birds annually.
Reasons for Dominance
Several factors underly why Minnesota has maintained its commanding lead in turkey production over the decades:
- Cost efficiencies from large scale production
- Investment in newest housing and equipment
- High rate of turkey production per square foot of barn space
- Lower feed transportation costs with proximate grain production
- Established network of buyers and suppliers
Through continuing innovation, Minnesota’s turkey industry has maintained its competitive advantage over other states.
Impacts of Avian Flu
Unfortunately, Minnesota’s turkey farmers have also borne the brunt of losses from periodic Avian Flu outbreaks. In 2015, the Avian Flu epidemic killed over 9 million turkeys in Minnesota and caused estimated losses of $650 million.
The 2022 outbreak was also devastating for the state. Over 2.7 million turkeys on 67 farms were infected, causing estimated losses of around $117 million. However, Minnesota’s turkey production has proven resilient and continues to supply the most turkey meat in the U.S.
Keeping Turkey Farming Traditions
While large turkey production facilities now dominate the landscape, small family-run turkey farms are still active in Minnesota. Approximately 1,200 turkey producers reside in Minnesota, many spanning just a few barns.
These small growers help supply niche and organic markets. Their continued tradition of small flock turkey farming hearkens back to Minnesota’s heritage as the leading turkey state.
So this Thanksgiving when you sit down to savor a turkey dinner, you can thank Minnesota’s farmers for supplying the delectable bird on your table!
Top 10 states for head produced
- Minnesota – 40,500,000
- North Carolina – 30,000,00
- Arkansas – 27,000,000
- Indiana – 20,500,000
- Missouri – 17,000,000
- Virginia – 14,000,000
- Iowa – 11,700,000
- Pennsylvania – 6,900,000
- Ohio and California (tie) – 6,000,000
Which State Produces the Most Turkeys? | Random Facts #shorts #thanksgiving #turkey #minnesota
FAQ
What 2 states raise the most turkeys?
Where does NC rank in turkey production?
How does Illinois rank in turkey production?
Which US state produces the most turkeys a year?
The United States produces an estimated 240 million turkeys each year, with production peaking in the 1990s. Turkey farming is an activity embraced by many poultry farmers found all over the country. Arkansas, Minnesota, and California are among the major turkey-producing states in the country. Which US State Raises the Most Turkeys?
Which states produce the most turkeys in 2023?
The top six states account for 68 percent of the turkeys produced in the United States during 2023. The largest turkey producing state is Minnesota, at 39.0 million turkeys, up 5 percent from the previous year. North Carolina produced 29.0 million turkeys, up 4 percent from a year ago.
Which country produces the most turkeys in the world?
In terms of global turkey production, the United States ranks as the largest producer, followed by countries such as Brazil, the European Union, and Canada. The United States dominates the turkey market due to its substantial consumption levels and robust export market.
Which state raised the most turkeys in 2018?
Minnesota had the highest number of raised turkeys of any U.S. state in 2018, at 42.5 million heads. North Carolina and Arkansas came in second and third place, with around 32.5 million and 31.5 million head of turkey raised respectively. Get notified via email when this statistic is updated.