Show FARM R M TOPICS r CS TURKEY production TION IS MAJOR INDUSTRY fifty six per cent increase shown in past 10 years nearly worth of turkeys at farm prices were produced last year reports the bureau of agricultural economics this figure was somewhat less than for 1937 but was larger than in in any ot other er year in the curr current ent decade and probably the second largest in the history of the industry since 1929 the production of turkeys has increased mow than 56 per P er cent from less than birds in that year to more mor e than in 1938 peak of production during the decade was n nearly early turkeys in 1936 highest prices during the 10 year period were in in 1929 lowest in 1933 the 1938 aver average nige per bird was about 16 per cent lower than in 1929 principal turkey producing states in 1938 were texas birds california minnesota 2 oklahoma iowa north dakota and oregon about 40 per cent of the 1938 crop was raised in the 12 north central states as contrasted with only 30 per cent in 1929 expansion of the turkey industry during the last 10 years is attributed chiefly to improvements in production and management methods which have lessened the mortality of boults and lowered production costs in competition with chickens and other meats production of turkeys in small farm flocks has decreased in most areas but this has been more than offset by increased numbers of large flocks which are kept separate from other poultry and handled under improved methods of sanitation feeding and marketing |