August 24, 2009

US turkey production in the first half of 2009 totals 2.8 billion pounds, down 9.4 percent compared to the same period in 2008, according to the most recent Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook from USDA's Economic Research Service.

The drop in production of turkey meat was primarily due to a smaller number of birds slaughtered, which was down 9.5 percent compared to the first half of 2008.

There was also a small reduction in the average weight of birds going to slaughter.

For the second half of 2009, the forecast for turkey meat production is 2.94 billion pounds, down 6.7 percent from the same period in 2008, and 35 million pounds less than the previous forecast.

The turkey meat production decrease is expected to come primarily from a smaller number of birds slaughtered because the average weights at slaughter are not expected to be significantly different from the previous year.

During the first half of 2009, the number of turkey poults placed for growout totalled only 141 millions, down 9.6 percent from the same period in 2008 and 9.7-percent lower than the number placed for growout in the first half of 2007.