7-9-2004 |
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Gov. Bob Wise, Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass and the West Virginia Development Office have announced that the state will provide state turkey farmers with approximately $250,000 to help them stay operational until a grower-funded cooperative takes over the former Pilgrim's Pride turkey processing plant in Hinton, Va., just across the West Virginia border. "The turkey industry has historically been one that is stable and dependable," said Governor Wise. "We want to ensure that it remains a viable and productive industry for the economy of our Eastern Panhandle." "This funding is extremely important to the region and to these turkey growers," said Commissioner Douglass. "These are family farms we're talking about here. Without this support, these families are facing bankruptcy and the loss of their farms." West Virginia turkey farms contracted by Pilgrim's Pride - roughly one-third of the state's entire production - brought in approximately $12 million last year for the birds they grew. High overhead keeps profit margins low, though, according to Commissioner Douglass. "The modern poultry industry is extremely competitive, both domestically and internationally," said Commissioner Douglass. "Maximum productivity can only be achieved with up-to-date equipment and poultry houses, which can run as high as $200,000 per house. Most poultry farmers are carrying a sizable amount of debt in order to remain competitive." Other portions of the farmers' overhead go right back in to the local economy through purchases of farm equipment and household supplies. A study by the Florida Department of Agriculture put an economic multiplier of a 2.2 and a jobs lost multiplier of 2.64 on the closure of a plant similar to the Hinton facility. Pilgrim's Pride announced this spring that the Hinton facility would be closed in October if a buyer was not found. Area turkey farmers have formed a grower-owned cooperative that is in the process of purchasing the plant. The plant currently employs approximately 1,300 workers and process about 160,000 turkeys a week. State officials will meet Friday at 9 a.m. at the WVU Extension
Office in Franklin to discuss the nuances of the program with the
turkey growers. Contact: Buddy Davidson The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org. |
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