The Trophy Goes To
Minnesota raises more turkeys and grows more sugarbeets than any other state in the country.
That’s a big deal! Let’s take a closer look at these two important agricultural products.
Turkeys are Tops!
Turkeys are BIG players in Minnesota agriculture. Minnesota farmers raise more turkeys than any other state! Every year Minnesota turkey farmers raise 40-42 million birds. Minnesota is a great state for raising turkeys because we grow lots of corn and soybeans — the main ingredients fed to turkeys. Minnesota is also home to many multi-generational farm families. Farmers in these families pass down their knowledge for growing turkeys to their children and grandchildren.
The Sweet Sugarbeet!
Did you eat a bowl of cereal this morning or have a granola bar? There was probably sugar in those foods, and that sugar likely came from a sugarbeet grown in Minnesota. Minnesota farmers grow more sugarbeets than anywhere else in the entire United States! A sugar beet plant begins as a seed smaller than a grain of rice. When fully grown, the sugarbeet weighs two to five pounds. Each plant produces one beet.
Match It Up
Look at the picture of the turkey and match it’s parts to the correct descriptions below:
- Snood - Red, flappy skin that hangs down over the beak, helping release extra body heat.
- Nostril - Breathing holes on the side of the beak.
- Eye - Has an inner lid that closes sideways to remove dirt, and an outer lid that keeps out light.
- Wattle - Fold of red-pink fleshy skin on the upper neck to help release extra body heat.
- Beak - Pointed and sharp for scratching and picking up food.
- Ear - Flat hole on the side of the head for hearing.