There are roughly 130 turkey farms in Iowa that have been busy preparing for this week as Thanksgiving Day draws near.
Iowa Turkey Federation Executive Director Gretta Irwin says Iowa ranks ninth nationwide in turkey production.
Iowa ranks fifth in the country for turkey processing as Hillshire Brands in Storm Lake and West Liberty Foods in West Liberty, combined, process over 15.5 million turkeys annually. Irwin says Iowans will find great prices on turkeys as they prepare for the Thanksgiving Day meal. The Iowa Turkey Federation’s website was recently revamped and includes a host of tips and ideas for preparing turkeys.
Governor Terry Branstad will uphold an annual tradition today (Monday), by pardoning two Iowa-grown turkeys during a ceremony at Terrace Hill. The turkeys, from a farm in Ellsworth, will then be taken to live out their remaining days at Living History Farms in Urbandale.
