Columbus, OH - Americans have had a love affair with turkey ever since early explorers discovered the New World. These explorers took the birds back to Europe; and by the 1500s, several other countries began raising turkey domestically. According to the National Turkey Federation, the love affair has continued. Benjamin Franklin was so enamored with the turkey that he wrote to his daughter saying, "I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country. The turkey is a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America."
Now many more Americans are falling in love with turkey all over again. June 1998 has been declared Turkey Lover's Month all across the nation. It is a special month for Ohio not only because our state is tenth in the nation in turkey production but also because 1998 is the sixtieth year for Cooper Hatchery, Oakwood, Ohio, the state's largest turkey producer.
"The month of June is our time to recognize the $98 million turkey industry that exists in Ohio," said Jack Heavenridge, executive vice president of the Ohio Poultry Association. "Ohio raises 6.8 million turkeys and hatches over 16 million baby poults (turkeys) for shipment to other states. There are many good farmers in Ohio who are able to farm thanks to contracts for turkey production. At a time when the focus seems to be on what some think is wrong with the agricultural industry, it is important that we recognize those like the Coopers, who are good at doing what is right."
According to Heavenridge, Cooper's began in 1938 and today is still a family-owned business, with Jim, Dianne, and Gary at the helm. The company supports over 150 contract turkey growers producing 125 million pounds of turkeys and a hatchery producing 14 million poults. Employing close to 800 people, Cooper's is totally integrated all the way to processing and further cooking of the products.
"What makes Cooper's unique is that you hear about how farmers need to diversify or get larger to stay in business," said Heavenridge. "Well, Cooper's is not only involved with turkeys but raises broilers (meat chickens), egg layers, and swine as well."
Hopefully, Americans' love affair with turkey will continue to help companies like Cooper's. According to the National Turkey Federation, turkey's low fat and high protein content has caused turkey consumption to increase to 18.1 pounds per person from only 8.1 pounds in 1979. Turkey now comes in many different items and cuts, from steaks for grilling to deli meat and burgers. What a difference from that whole bird used mainly for the Thanksgiving table! The trend has continued, with many school lunch programs in Ohio now focusing on ground turkey items for the 1999 school year. NTF data shows that ground turkey appeals most to children.
So, this June, turkey lovers remember that the lowly turkey has come a long way from that Thanksgiving bird admired by Benjamin Franklin to a highly nutritional, versatile meat that is as American as apple pie!
Meat Industry Insights News Service
P.O. Box 553
Northport, NY 11768
Phone: 631-757-4010
Fax: 631-757-4060
E-mail: sflanagan@sprintmail.com
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