SOUTH CAROLINA TURKEYS RAISED

COLUMBIA, S.C., January 19, 2005: SOUTH CAROLINA’S turkeys raised during 2004 was 12,000,000, unchanged from the 12,000,000 raised during 2003 reported the USDA-NASS, South Carolina Statistical Office. S.C. growers intend to raise 8,600,000 turkeys in 2005, down 28 percent from last year.

Turkeys raised in the UNITED STATES during 2004 totaled 264 million birds, down 4 percent from the 274 million raised in 2003. Minnesota ranked first in the number raised with 46.5 million, followed by North Carolina with 39.0 million, Arkansas with 28.5 million, Missouri with 21.5 million, Virginia with 19.7 million, California with 15.7 million, and Indiana with 13.3 million. These States accounted for 70 percent of the turkeys produced in the United States during 2004.

Turkey growers in 23 States intend to decrease the number of birds raised by 2 percent in 2005. These states produced over 99% of the turkeys raised in 2004. Intentions for the top seven producing States compared with 2004 are as follows: Minnesota up 2 percent, North Carolina down 5 percent, Arkansas down 2 percent, Missouri up 5 percent, Virginia up 2 percent, California down 4 percent, and Indiana up 2 percent.

For further information contact:

          Robert A. Graham, State Director

          Stan Cheek, Agricultural Statistician

          Office Telephone: (803) 765-5333