11/17/06 Turkey Day cost up slightly

The cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is up slightly this year from last but still a bargain says American Farm Bureau economist Terry Francl. FRANCL "The survey showed that the cost of the dinner was an average of $38.10. That's a $1.32 or approximately a three and a half percent increase from 2005." The cost was based on a dinner for ten with turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and other side dishes. FRANCL "The largest increase was the turkey itself this year. The cost of the turkey is $15.70 or about 98 cents a pound. That's an increase of about four cents a pound over last year or 59 cents total as compared to 2005." There are a couple of reasons for that; slightly higher supply and demand along with increased energy costs for processing and transportation. However, the turkey price today is less than when the Farm Bureau started the survey more than two decades ago. FRANCL "If you adjust for inflation the cost is actually 34 percent lower than the cost of the turkey dinner in 1986." From all of us at the Northwest Ag Information Network, enjoy this Thanksgiving with family and friends. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott