Turkeys raised in the U.S. during 2012 are at 254 million, up 2 percent from the number raised during 2011, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest report.
A combination of six states account for nearly two-thirds of the turkeys produced, with the largest turkey-producing state being Minnesota, at 46 million turkeys. Minnesota production was down 1 percent from 2011 numbers, according to the USDA. North Carolina increased by 13 percent from 2011, producing 36 million turkeys. Arkansas produced 29 million turkeys, 5 percent lower than 2011 numbers. Missouri remained unchanged, producing 17.5 million turkeys, while Virginia decreased the number of turkeys raised compared to 2011 by 3 percent, now at 17 million. Indiana increased by 3 percent to 16.5 million turkeys.
For more U.S. poultry statistics and information, see www.wattagnet.com/marketdata.html.
