Heineman proclaims June as Turkey Lovers' Month

Gov. Dave Heineman has signed proclamations celebrating May is Egg Month, and June is Turkey Lovers' Month in Nebraska. The proclamations were signed during a luncheon with egg and turkey producers, state senators, and representatives from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).

Tim Bebee, President of the Nebraska Egg Council, presented the Governor with a duplicate of Nebraska's official Easter Egg in appreciation of the Governor's support of the egg industry.  The original egg was on display at the White House during the Easter season.

"I encourage Nebraskans to recognize the importance of the egg industry to our state," the Governor said.  "The industry contributes $95 million to our state's economy, and we currently rank seventh nationally in total egg production." Nebraska's commercial laying hen population of approximately 12 million birds produces over 3 billion eggs annually.  Nebraska is also a national leader in the production of further processed egg products.

Jim Meuret, President of the Nebraska Turkey Federation, presented the Governor with two Norbest, Nebraska-Grown turkeys in appreciation for the Governor's support of the turkey industry. The Governor chose to donate the turkeys to the People's City Mission.

Nebraska's 17 turkey growers, who are members of the Nebraska Turkey Growers Cooperative, raised over 4 million turkeys in 2007, producing more than 65 million pounds of turkey.

The majority of these turkeys are packaged under the Norbest Nebraska-grown label. The economic impacts of the commercial turkey production and processing industry in Nebraska have been calculated to be over $110 million.

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