PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
May 24, 2007 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856 (402) 440-7251 (cell)

LINCOLN - Today, turkey producers, State senators and representatives of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) attended a luncheon celebrating the contributions of the state’s turkey producers.

Governor Dave Heineman was on hand to present a proclamation declaring June as Turkey Lovers’ Month in Nebraska.

“The turkey industry has become an important part of Nebraska’s economic landscape with cash receipts totaling more than $43 million in 2006 alone,” Governor Heineman said. “It is my pleasure to join Nebraska’s turkey producers today in celebrating their industry’s accomplishments.”

Tom Thulin, President of the Nebraska Turkey Federation, presented the Governor with a several frozen turkeys and a porcelain wild turkey collectors plate.

Nebraska’s 18 turkey growers, who are members of the Nebraska Turkey Growers Cooperative, raised over 4.4 million turkeys in 2006, producing more than 55 million pounds of turkey. The majority of these turkeys are packaged under the Norbest Nebraska-grown label. Currently, seven out of every ten turkeys sold in Nebraska are exported.

Additional information about Nebraska's turkey industry is available through NDA’s Poultry and Egg Division by calling (402) 472-2051 or visiting www.nebraskapoultry.org.