Thursday, November 27, 1997

Thanksgiving is great, unless you're the turkey

By J.T. Smith / Abilene Reporter-News

Thanksgiving really should be a time to give thanks for what we have in this nation.

Most folks will probably eat too much and watch ballgames.

Meanwhile, Americans will consume about 45 million turkeys today.

While that means a lot of turkeys won't be around at Christmas -- or much less find out who goes to the Super Bowl -- the U.S. turkey industry is grateful.

Not only are sales of turkeys rapidly increasing here at home, but turkey sales abroad are growing.

This increased turkey trade is a boost to the domestic industry and the U.S. economy.

For example, USDA -- with its latest information -- projects that U.S. turkey meat exports are expected to total 547 million pounds.

That's up 25 percent from 1996 and more than 10 times the volume of turkey meat exported in 1990.

During the same period, the percentage of overall U.S. turkey production exported also has climbed dramatically. About one-tenth of U.S. turkey production this year will end up in export channels.

The value of exports also has climbed.

For January through August of this year, exports of turkey parts had value of $196.6 million -- representing an increase of 52 percent of the same period in 1996.

Turkeys help the economy

The dramatic growth in turkey business is good for the nation's economy.

USDA economists have estimated that every $1 of U.S. agricultural exports generates $1.37 in supporting economic activity.

Currently, the top markets for the American turkey are Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Hong Kong and Canada.

It's worth noting that even with the loss of the European Union market in early 1997, that exports of U.S. turkeys still increased globally.

Dark turkey meat parts and products are in especially high demand overseas, while Americans tend to prefer white meat.

As in the United States, turkey is becoming increasingly accepted as a substitute for other proteins.

It is said Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be a turkey.

Maybe ol' Ben was just way ahead of his time.

Farm Bureau annual convention nears

Another thing associated with this time of year is the annual Texas Farm Bureau Convention.

The 64th TFB Convention is Nov. 30-Dec. 3 in Arlington. Among the many festivities planned, the TFB will recognize some outstanding counties.

Erath County will be honored for 11 consecutive years of gain in membership.

Meanwhile, Mills County will be recongized for being among the highest in renewal percentage.

TFB finished the fiscal year Oct. 31 with 311,523 members as the largest general farm organization in Texas.