SOUTH CAROLINA TURKEYS RAISED DOWN FROM 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C., August 25, 2005: SOUTH CAROLINA’S turkeys raised during 2005 is estimated at 9,100,000, down 24 percent from 2004, according to the USDA NASS, South Carolina Field Office.

The preliminary estimate of turkeys raised in the UNITED STATES during 2005 is 256 million, down 3 percent from the number raised during 2004.

The following six States are expected to account for about two-thirds of the turkeys produced in the United States during 2005:

 

Minnesota, at 44.5 million birds, is expected to raise the largest number of any state, showing a 2 percent decrease from last year.

 

North Carolina ranks second with 36.0 million birds, down 8 percent from 2004. Arkansas is in third place by producing 29.0 million birds, 2 percent more than a year ago.

 

Virginia, at 21.0 million birds is up 7 percent from 2004.

 

Missouri growers expect to produce 20.5 million birds in 2005, down 5 percent from the previous year.

 

California expects to raise 15.1 million turkeys, 4 percent less than a year earlier.

For additional information call:

                                                                Robert A. Graham, Director

                                                                Stan Cheek, Poultry Statistician

                                                                Office Telephone: (803) 765-5333