Small-sized turkeys to be in demand

Turkey producers should aim at providing the right spread of weights and have smaller strains, as well, when ordering poults for placement in the summer, suggests Paul Kelly, managing director of turkey poult suppliers, Farmgate Hatcheries.
According to Kelly, the economic downturn may push customers to go for smaller birds. Farmgate Hatcheries offer a range of breeds – both bronze and white turkeys – that will achieve 3 to 10 kg weight from 10 to 26 weeks.
Kelly suggests there may be an even bigger shortage this year compared with last year’s shortage of turkeys in the 4 kg weight range.

USDA to stabilize turkey prices

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Secretary Tom Vilsack announced March 31 that the USDA will purchase up to a $60 million bonus of turkey meat to help stabilize falling turkey prices, according to a National Turkey Federation press release.
The secretary said USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service intends to expedite a major bonus purchase of turkey meat within the next six weeks to help turkey growers and processors who have been hurt in the current recession. His announcement came while testifying before the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.
“This purchase hopefully will help reverse a downward trend in turkey prices.” said NTF President Joel Brandenberger in the release.