According to the USDA, 5.4 million turkeys were depopulated because of exposure to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. That’s enough to affect USDA’s turkey production forecast. Second-quarter production is now estimated at 1.29 billion pounds, eight percent below the same quarter last year. Third quarter turkey production is forecast to be six percent below last year. USDA expects turkey production to rebound close to previous year levels by the fourth quarter.
