Minnesota turkey farmers raise 46 million turkeys annually, supporting 26,000
ST. PAUL, MN - Thanksgiving Week got underway this morning in Saint Paul. Governor Mark Dayton was joined by Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson, Minnesota Turkey Research and Promotion Council President Robert Orsten, Minnesota Turkey Growers Association Executive Director Steve Olson, and Colleen Moriarty of Hunger Solutions Minnesota to bring in the week's festivities. A Minnesota-grown turkey was on-hand for the occasion.
Minnesota's 450 turkey farmers raise an estimated 46 million birds in a typical year. While this year's estimate is closer to 40 million birds, Minnesota remains the largest producer of turkeys in the United States. This production generates $800 million in economic activity every year, and supports 26,000 Minnesota jobs. Turkeys grown in Minnesota also consume $163 million of corn and $169 million of soybean meal - adding approximately $251 million to the value of corn and soybeans in Minnesota.
Governor Dayton, Minnesota's turkey farmers, and Hunger Solutions Minnesota also addressed ending hunger across the state, encouraging Minnesotans to donate to their local food shelves. More information about those efforts can be found
in this news release from the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association.
