U.S. farmers are forecast to produce 235 million turkeys this year, down 2 percent from last year and down 14 percent since 2008, a peak year, say USDA reports. Turkeys weigh more apiece although there are fewer of them. A 2013 USDA report said, “Higher production efficiency…led to a reduction in total turkeys raised per year. But even as the number of birds declined, total pounds of turkey produced remained relatively steady during the past five years.” Farm-raised turkeys have an average annual value of more than $5 billion. USDA estimates that Minnesota, Arkansas and North Carolina grow four of every 10 turkeys in the country this year.