Turkey farming is a major industry in the United States. Turkeys are raised for their meat, which is a popular item, especially around Thanksgiving. But which states produce the most turkeys? Here we will look at turkey farming data to determine which states have the largest turkey populations.
Turkey Farming in the U.S.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there were 238 million turkeys raised in the U.S. in 2021. This is down from 264 million in 2020. The top turkey producing states are Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia, Missouri, Indiana, California, South Dakota, Ohio and Iowa. These top ten states account for about 70% of the turkeys raised nationally.
Turkey farming is concentrated in the Upper Midwest, as well as in North Carolina and Arkansas. The cool climates and abundance of grain for feed makes the Upper Midwest an ideal place for turkey farming. North Carolina and Arkansas also have a long history of turkey production.
Let’s take a closer look at the top five turkey producing states:
Minnesota
Minnesota is the top turkey producing state, accounting for about 19% of U.S. turkey production. In 2021, Minnesota produced over 46 million turkeys. The state has optimal conditions for turkey farming, including a cool climate, inexpensive land, corn and soybean meal for feed, and processing plants. Major turkey producers in Minnesota include Jennie-O and Cargill. Many turkey farms are concentrated in the central and western parts of the state.
North Carolina
North Carolina accounts for about 15% of the nation’s turkey production. In 2021, North Carolina farmers raised over 35 million turkeys. North Carolina has a long history of turkey farming dating back to the 1920s. A favorable climate and abundant feed make it a prime location. Butterball is a major producer in North Carolina, with operations located in the eastern part of the state.
Arkansas
Arkansas produces about 14% of the turkeys raised in the U.S. In 2021, turkey farmers in Arkansas raised over 33 million birds. Arkansa’s history of turkey farming goes back over 100 years. Major companies like Cargill, Butterball and Ozark Mountain Poultry have operations in northwest Arkansas. The climate and terrain are ideal for turkey barns.
Virginia
Virginia accounts for around 5% of U.S. turkey production. In 2021, Virginia farmers raised over 12 million turkeys. Virginia is the nation’s fourth-largest turkey producing state. The Shenandoah Valley in western Virginia is an especially concentrated area of turkey production. Cooler mountain climates and abundant feed make the region ideal for turkey farming.
Missouri
Missouri produces about 5% of the nation’s turkeys, raising over 12 million in 2021. Missouri has a long history of turkey production going back to the 1920s. Major turkey companies like Cargill have operations in Missouri. The northern and central regions of the state are where most turkey farms are located.
Turkey Production by Region
Looking at turkey production by region provides additional insights into where turkey farming is most concentrated. According to 2021 data from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the leading turkey producing region is the East North Central States. This region includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. In 2021, the East North Central states accounted for 29.4% of U.S. turkey production.
The second-highest turkey producing region is the South Atlantic region, comprising 19.9% of production. This area includes Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. North Carolina is the major turkey producing state in this region.
Another top turkey region is the West North Central region, producing 17.4% of U.S. turkeys. This area contains Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Minnesota. Minnesota and Missouri lead this region’s turkey production.
Region | 2021 Turkey Production (1,000s) | Percentage of U.S. |
---|---|---|
East North Central | 70,229 | 29.4% |
South Atlantic | 47,548 | 19.9% |
West North Central | 41,473 | 17.4% |
West South Central | 37,947 | 15.9% |
Mountain | 14,660 | 6.1% |
New England | 9,891 | 4.2% |
Pacific | 7,627 | 3.2% |
East South Central | 6,638 | 2.8% |
Middle Atlantic | 2,066 | 0.9% |
This table shows the concentration of turkey production in the Upper Midwest, Southeast, and along the central flyway migratory bird route. The cool climates, availability of feed, and location along migratory paths make these regions Turkey havens.
Leading Turkey Producing Counties
Looking at turkey farming by county provides additional detail on the most concentrated areas of production. According to the USDA’s 2017 Census of Agriculture county-level data, the leading turkey producing counties are:
Stearns County, Minnesota
Stearns County produced 7.3 million turkeys in 2017, making it the #1 turkey producing county in the country. Located in central Minnesota, the county’s landscape of rolling hills and abundant grain production make it ideal for turkey farming. Jennie-O Turkey Store operates a processing plant in the county seat of St. Cloud.
Sampson County, North Carolina
Sampson County produced nearly 7 million turkeys, ranking second nationally. Located in the Coastal Plain of central North Carolina, Sampson County has been a turkey farming center since the 1960s. Butterball operates a large turkey processing plant in the county.
Union County, North Carolina
With over 5 million turkeys in 2017, Union County ranks third for turkey production. The county is located southwest of Charlotte in North Carolina’s Piedmont region. A number of integrated turkey companies operate farms in the county.
Moniteau County, Missouri
Moniteau County produced 4.7 million turkeys in 2017, making it the fourth highest county for turkey production. Cargill operates a major turkey processing plant in the county seat of California, Missouri. Farms are concentrated in the central and western parts of the county.
Mitchell County, North Carolina
Mitchell County produced 4.3 million turkeys in 2017. Located in western North Carolina, the mountainous topography provides cool summers ideal for turkey barns. Most of the county’s turkeys are contracted to grow for a nearby Butterball processing plant.
County | State | Turkeys (1,000s) |
---|---|---|
Stearns County | Minnesota | 7,345 |
Sampson County | North Carolina | 6,981 |
Union County | North Carolina | 5,601 |
Moniteau County | Missouri | 4,738 |
Mitchell County | North Carolina | 4,310 |
This table shows the concentration of turkey production in a handful of counties where conditions and infrastructure are optimized for turkey farming.
Changes in Turkey Production
Turkey farming in the U.S. reached peak production in 1995, when farmers raised 302 million birds. Since then, production has trended down somewhat. In 2021, farmers raised 23.8 million fewer turkeys than they did in 2020.
What is driving these declines in turkey production? A few key factors:
– **Lower turkey consumption** – Americans are eating less turkey than they did in the 1990s, reducing demand. Other poultry like chicken are gaining market share.
– **High feed costs** – Corn and soybean meal are the major components of turkey feed. As prices for these commodities increase, profit margins for turkey farmers decrease.
– **Disease outbreaks** – Disease among turkeys, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, have impacted production in some years.
– **Consolidation of turkey companies** – There are fewer turkey companies than in the past, giving them more power to control production.
So while turkey farming remains strong in traditional states like Minnesota and North Carolina, overall production has trended down from its peak in the 1990s. Efficiencies in breeding and feeding have offset some of the production declines. But higher feed costs and lower consumer demand continue to challenge the industry.
The Future of the Turkey Industry
What does the future look like for turkey farming? Here are a few projections:
– Turkey production will remain concentrated in the Upper Midwest, North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia and Missouri. These states have the infrastructure, climate and feed resources that best support cost-efficient turkey production.
– Total production may stabilize around 230-250 million turkeys annually. Efficiencies in production are offsetting reductions in consumer demand.
– Exports will become increasingly important as U.S. demand is stagnant. Top export markets for U.S. turkeys include Mexico, China, Canada and the Philippines.
– Consolidation will continue, with large, vertically-integrated turkey companies increasing their share of production. This gives companies more control over supply based on market conditions.
– Feed costs will continue to exert pressure on producers’ margins. Energy-dense diets are needed for fast turkey weight gain.
– New barn technologies may be adopted to control temperature and air quality as the industry aims to maximize efficiency and bird health.
So in summary, turkey production will likely remain concentrated in the same leading states, with Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas and Missouri at the top. Efficiencies in production and increased exports will support the industry, but higher feed costs will pressure profit margins for producers. Overall, turkey farming will continue to play an important economic role in communities across rural America.
Conclusion
Turkey farming is a major agricultural industry in the United States. While overall production has decreased from its peak in the 1990s, turkeys remain an important protein source, especially for holiday meals. Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia and Missouri lead turkey production, accounting for about 70% of the national total. Cool climates, abundant feed, and migration paths concentrate turkey farming in America’s northern regions as well as in the Southeast. A handful of counties in these states act as the epicenters of production.
Going forward, turkey farming will face headwinds like high feed costs and stagnant domestic demand. But efficiencies in production, exports, and consolidation of the industry will allow turkey production to remain economically viable. Turkeys will continue to anchor Thanksgiving feasts and provide year-round nutrition across the country thanks to America’s leading turkey producing states.