As families gather this Thanksgiving, it’s worth pausing to reflect on the deep links between that holiday plate and American agriculture.
🦃 Nearly 30 million turkeys are expected to be served in the U.S. this year.
🍖 U.S. turkey meat production is about 5.46 billion pounds for 2023.
🥧 Pumpkin production in the top 6 states reached 1.2 billion pounds in 2022 — and pies are a staple: Americans consume over 50 million pumpkin pies each Thanksgiving.
🧑🌾 Despite the tradition, farmers receive a surprisingly small portion of the final grocery cost — for example, a farm-producer’s take on an 11-lb turkey can be as low as 66 cents.
What does this mean for our industry?
It underscores how essential farm and ranch businesses are, and not just to holiday meals, but to national food security and economic stability. When you’re managing inputs, planning for succession, or investing in soil health, you’re part of a system that feeds millions and supports U.S. ag resilience.
At Root Ag Advisory, we’re thankful for the producers we serve, and mindful of the fact that every harvest, every financial decision, and every acre matters.
👉 From our team to yours: Happy Thanksgiving, and may your season be safe, productive, and full of gratitude.