Moroni Feed plans a $3.2 million expansion of its turkey processing and service facilities and is moving closer to year-round processing.
"We have a $40 million processing facility and it does not make much sense for us to have it sit idle three or four months out of the year," said David Bailey, president of the Utah-based cooperative that comprises 65 independent turkey growers.In the past, Moroni Feed has slaughtered and processed turkeys from April through December. Growers this year have increased the number of birds by 3 percent to 5 percent, and the cooperatives expects next year's processing to start in March.
Bailey said Moroni Feed expects to process 75 million pounds of turkey meat this year.
Bailey said a major part of the $3.2 million expansion will be a 22,500-square-foot freezer to handle the additional production.
Erin O'Brien, spokeswoman for the National Turkey Federation, said there has been a strong increase in the demand for low-fat turkey over the past several years.
She said U.S. per capita consumption of turkey was 17 pounds in 1990 and is projected next year to be 18.8 pounds.