DOUG’S BLOG – Let’s Talk Turkey

IT’S THANKSGIVING WEEK, SO WHY NOT

You may be thinking “why is Doug doing a blog on turkeys and not on gardening?” You could be right. But, both raising turkeys and nursery plants fall within the Department of Agriculture. So, that is the connection. I am not that crazy after all.

It is forecasted that over 6 billion pounds of turkey meat will be produced in the U.S. this year. It seems an awful lot of meat but we, as a society, have become more health-conscious and desire more lean protein than ever before. And, with the Covid-19 pandemic this year, more families will be staying home and doing less traveling and less large family gatherings. STAY SAFE EVERYONE!!!!

Did you know that Virginia ranks sixth among turkey-producing states? The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says the number of turkeys raised in the state this year is expected to total 16.3 million.

HERE ARE SOME TIDBITS ABOUT TURKEYS

• The typical Thanksgiving turkey weighs about 16 pounds.
• The United States produced about 250 million turkeys in 2019.
• It takes about 28 days for a turkey egg to hatch and about 22 weeks for a Tom turkey to reach market size.
• Turkeys are native to northern Mexico and the eastern United States.
• Henry VIII was the first English king to enjoy turkey and Edward VII made turkey-eating fashionable at Christmas.
• Baby turkeys are called puts, male turkeys are called toms, and female turkeys are called hens.
• Male turkeys gobble. Hens do not. They make a clicking noise.
• Turkey is low in fat and high in protein. It has more protein than chicken or beef.
• The five most popular ways to serve leftover turkey: as a sandwich, in a stew, chili or soup, casseroles, and as a burger.
• The ballroom dance the “turkey trot” was named for the short, jerky steps that turkeys take.

As you sit down with friends and family this holiday, remember to thank a farmer for making this meal available and affordable.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

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