Monday November 23 Ag News

 NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION

For the week ending November 22, 2020, there were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 20% very short, 44% short, 35% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 24% very short, 40% short, 35% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 4% very poor, 16% poor, 41% fair, 36% good, and 3% excellent.

Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 17% very poor, 21% poor, 30% fair, 31% good, and 1% excellent.



IOWA CROP PROGRESS & CONDITION REPORT

Dry conditions and warmer temperatures allowed Iowa farmers 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending November 22, 2020, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities included harvesting corn for grain, baling corn stalks, applying fertilizer and manure, and hauling grain to elevators. Farmers in some areas of the State continue to clean up debris from the derecho that blew through in August.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 13% very short, 31% short, 56% adequate and 0% surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 22% very short, 35% short, 43% adequate and 0% surplus.

Only 2% of Iowa’s corn for grain crop remains to be harvested, over 3 weeks ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of the 5-year average. In most areas of the State only scattered fields remain to be harvested. Some corn fields damaged by the derecho remain to be disked down. Extra tillage is being done by some farmers out of concern for volunteer corn in 2021 due to damaged corn this crop year.

No problems with livestock were reported. Livestock producers continue to allow cattle to graze on corn stalks. Some producers are providing supplemental feed for cattle on pastures.



USDA: Winter Wheat Condition Drops

After rising the previous week, winter wheat conditions fell last week, according to the USDA NASS weekly Crop Progress report released on Monday. NASS estimated that 43% of the U.S. winter wheat crop was in good-to-excellent condition as of Sunday, Nov. 22. That is down 3 percentage points from 46% the previous week and is below 52% at the same time a year ago.

An estimated 89% of winter wheat had emerged as of Sunday, up 4 percentage points from the previous week and 1 percentage point ahead of the five-year average of 88%.

NASS was no longer reporting row-crop harvest in Monday's report. Sorghum harvest was estimated at 97% complete, and cotton harvest was estimated at 77% finished.

NASS will release its final national Crop Progress report of 2020 next Monday, Nov. 30.

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Lower Elkhorn NRD announces winners of Conservation Poster Contest

“Where would we BEE without Pollinators?” was the theme for this year’s Stewardship Week and Poster Contest sponsored by the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD).

Pollinators form the foundations of a healthy and sustainable future for food and the environment, but in recent years, they have shown concerning signs of decline. It’s important that we work to help them prosper by enhancing native pollinator habitats and protecting against pollinator declines.

Over 100 K-12th grade students participated in the contest.  Buzzing bees and butterflies were some of the examples shown in the winning posters, created by students from across the Lower Elkhorn NRD’s 15-counties in northeast Nebraska.

The following winners will receive special recognition from the Lower Elkhorn NRD:

Grades K-1     
1) Carson Gerths    Guardian Angels Central Catholic, West Point
2) Isabelle Anderson    Battle Creek Elementary
3) Abigail Zweep     Bancroft-Rosalie Elementary

Grades 2-3
1) Dawson Mackling     Guardian Angels Central Catholic, West Point     
2) Kenna Olmer           St. Francis, Humphrey
3) Jesus Vargas            St. Mary’s, Wayne
3) Blake Heithold        St. Mary’s, Wayne

Grades 4-6
1) Madie Thiele           Guardian Angels Central Catholic, West Point
2) Audrey Praest           St. Wenceslaus, Dodge
3) Mariana Nexticapan Hernandez    St. Mary’s, Wayne

Grades 7-9
1) Emerson Ortmeier     Guardian Angels Central Catholic, West Point
2) Myranda Hansen      Norfolk High School
3) Kali Mangelsen        Norfolk High School

Grades 10-12
1) Claire Steskal           Norfolk High School
2) Courtney Hintz         Norfolk High School
3) Anna Lemus             Norfolk High School

The first place posters in each category were sent on to the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) in Lincoln for the State Competition.

The NARD recently announced that the Lower Elkhorn NRD has 3 winners at the State level this year.  Students winning in the State competition include:
    Grades K-1:  Carson Gerths, Guardian Angels Central Catholic, West Point
    Grades 7-9:  Emerson Ortmeier, Guardian Angels Central Catholic, West Point
    Grades 10-12: Claire Steskal, Norfolk High School

These students will receive special recognition from the NARD in Lincoln.  The posters created by Gerths, Ortmeier, and Steskal will be sent on to Las Vegas, Nevada for the National competition in February 2020.

“I’m always amazed at the talent we see from the students each year.  This contest is a fun way to help students connect with the world around them and use the theme to focus on things they can see and hear in their own backyard,” said Julie Wragge, LENRD Information & Education Specialist.  She added, “Congratulations to all the participants.  Please enter again next year.”

The 2021 stewardship theme is “Healthy Forests = Healthy Communities”.  



Reinke Introduces Industry-First Maintenance-Free Pivot Bearing

In an effort to make pivot maintenance easier for growers, Reinke Manufacturing, a global leader in irrigation systems and technology, introduces the industry’s first Maintenance-Free Bearing to the North American market.

Due to the nature of bearing grease, annual maintenance has been needed to ensure that the center pivot rotational movement was not interrupted. With Reinke’s patent pending Maintenance-Free Bearing, the need to do all that work is done.

“We’re always looking for ways to lower ownership costs for our growers,” says Chris Roth, president of Reinke. “This is the first of its kind on the market. Our team has designed a better bearing assembly that requires zero maintenance along with superior structural expectations and durability. This will also save growers time that they can use to complete other important work on their operation.”

The key benefits for growers are:
    Saves time – no need to grease the pivot center before the season starts
    Maintenance-free – growers have peace of mind that it will work without interruption
    Eliminates grease spill-out on and around the pivot
    Increases rotational efficiency for greater system longevity – product trials showed a 40% decrease in strain on the bearing over the previous version

“We tested the bearing with more than a quarter of a million revolutions without issue,” says Roth. “When we see testing results like this, we get excited knowing that we’ve got a high-load, low-friction product on our hands.”

The Maintenance-Free Bearing is designed to last the lifetime of the system, using the same high-quality specifications of all Reinke’s products. The product is available on new Reinke irrigation systems using an 8” pivot bearing. But it can also be retrofitted onto existing 8” Electrogator II center pivots.



ISU hosting Ag Chem Dealer Update meetings this December

Sprayer cleanout to minimize tank contamination will be the featured topic at the 2020 Ag Chemical Dealer Update meetings sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

These meetings will also feature a short crop disease and insect update covering topics like Sudden Death Syndrome in soybeans, tar spot in corn and corn rootworm.

The Ag Chem Dealer Update meetings, which were scheduled to be held in a face-to-face format in Ames and Iowa City, are now being offered online on two different dates due to COVID-19 restrictions.

On Dec. 8 the session will be offered from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and Dec. 15 the session will be offered from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Meetings are approved for Certified Crop Adviser credits. In addition, the meetings offer Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicator recertification in categories 1A, 1B, 1C and 10 for calendar year 2020.

Recertification is included in meeting registration. Attendance at the entire meeting is required for recertification. Applicators are requested to join 10 minutes prior to the start of the meeting to allow time for check-in for Commercial Pesticide recertification.

In order to meet recertification requirements applicators will be required to answer four of six poll questions during the 2.5-hour session. Applicators failing to answer at least four questions will not meet verification requirements.

Each applicator must attend and log-in with their own device for tracking using Zoom attendance logs. Applicators must join the meeting on time and attend the entire meeting. Late entries will be denied access to the program. Additional information and guidelines are provided on the registration page.

Registration is $70. The deadline for the Dec. 8 program is midnight, Dec. 6, and the deadline for the Dec. 15 program is midnight, Dec. 13.  

Visit www.aep.iastate.edu/acu for program details or to register online. For additional information contact an ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomist hosting the meeting.



Iowa Farm Bureau survey shows cost of turkey lowest in 10 years

While family gatherings this November may look different than years past, those choosing to celebrate with traditional holiday fare will welcome lower prices on many food items, according to the 35th annual Farm Bureau Thanksgiving survey.

The most notable price drop is reflected by Thanksgiving’s most beloved bird—the turkey—which at roughly $1.21 per pound is the lowest price since 2010. Iowa, ranking 7th in turkey production in the United States, is also home to the turkeys who will travel to our nation’s capital for this year’s ceremonial Presidential “turkey pardon.”

“Iowa’s farm families appreciate the value consumers put on safe, nutritious foods and are proud to provide a wide range of items that grace our holiday tables,” says Dr. Sam Funk, IFBF director of agriculture analytics and research. “Our livestock and poultry farmers still face the challenge of recovering from lost markets and supply chains impacted by COVID, but that hasn’t stopped them from producing sustainably-grown, real meat products we enjoy at Thanksgiving.”

The survey includes favorites such as stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberries, pumpkin pie, whipped cream and rolls with butter. With changing food trends and increased appetites for a variety of animal-based proteins, ham has also made it to the list of surveyed foods along with potatoes and frozen green beans. Although these additional items contribute to cost, this year’s Thanksgiving menu results in a 4 percent price decrease overall from 2019.

“Farm Bureau’s Thanksgiving dinner cost survey shows, no matter your food preferences, Americans may spend less this year on the fixings to set on the table,” says Dr. Funk. “While there’s been many hardships in 2020, something to be thankful for is all the people who, from gate to plate, have worked endlessly to bring food and necessities for our families. We depend on each other and the bounty that continues to be provided from Iowa’s agricultural heritage.”

For more information on the Farm Bureau Thanksgiving survey, visit https://www.fb.org/newsroom/farm-bureau-survey-thanksgiving-dinner-cost-down-4.  



U.S. Pork Producers ‘Give-a-Ham’

The National Pork Producers Council today launched the “Give-a-Ham” challenge, a national social media campaign encouraging hog farmers and those involved in the industry to donate pork to organizations serving the food insecure, and challenging others to follow suit. The “Give-a-Ham” challenge begins today and runs through the end of the year.

“With so many Americans struggling with COVID-related financial challenges, this year’s ‘Give-a-Ham’ challenge takes on special meaning,” said NPPC President Howard “AV” Roth, a hog farmer from Wauzeka, Wisconsin. “Giving back to our communities is a core value of hog farmers nationwide; it’s gratifying to come together as an industry this time of year to serve those in need.”

Throughout the COVID pandemic, U.S. hog farmers and numerous state associations that represent them have donated to local food banks, providing a collective 15.7 million pounds—or 222.8 million servings—of pork through Oct. 31.

“I’m proud to be part of an industry that has already made significant contributions this year to help those less fortunate and look forward to participating in the ‘Give-a-Ham’ challenge, paying it forward with pork,” Roth added.

Participants are encouraged to share their stories on social media using the #GiveaHam hashtag.



NEBRASKA CHICKENS AND EGGS

All layers in Nebraska during October 2020 totaled 8.23 million, down from 9.27 million the previous year, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Nebraska egg production during October totaled 211 million eggs, down from 233 million in 2019. October egg production per 100 layers was 2,563 eggs, compared to 2,511 eggs in 2019.

IOWA:  Iowa egg production during October 2020 was 1.25 billion eggs, up 4% from last month but down 14% from last year, according to the latest Chickens and Eggs report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of all layers on hand during October 2020 was 47.7 million, up slightly from last month but down 17% from last year. Eggs per 100 layers for October were 2,625, up 4% from last month and up 3% from last year.



October Egg Production Down 2 Percent

United States egg production totaled 9.50 billion during October 2020, down 2 percent from last year. Production included 8.24 billion table eggs, and 1.25 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.17 billion were broiler-type and 79.8 million were egg-type. The average number of layers during October 2020 totaled 386 million, down 3 percent from last year. October egg production per 100 layers was 2,459 eggs, up 1 percent from October 2019.
                                    
Total layers in the United States on November 1, 2020 totaled 388 million, down 3 percent from last year. The 388 million layers consisted of 324 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 60.5 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.14 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on November 1, 2020, averaged 79.7 eggs per 100 layers, up 1 percent from November 1, 2019.

Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Down 3 Percent
Egg-type chicks hatched during October 2020 totaled 50.6 million, down 3 percent from October 2019. Eggs in incubators totaled 44.6 million on November 1, 2020, down 7 percent from a year ago.  Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 197,000 during October 2020, down 1 percent from October 2019.

Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched Down 1 Percent
Broiler-type chicks hatched during October 2020 totaled 805 million, down 1 percent from October 2019. Eggs in incubators totaled 660 million on November 1, 2020, down 3 percent from a year ago.  Leading breeders placed 8.07 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during October 2020, up 7 percent from October 2019.



USDA Cold Storage October 2020 Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers on October 31, 2020 were up 1 percent from the previous month but down 12 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 8 percent from the previous month and up 7 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 4 percent from the previous month and down 27 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 21 percent from last month and down 57 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on October 31, 2020 were down 7 percent from the previous month and down 4 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up 3 percent from the previous month but down 4 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were down 25 percent from last month and down 4 percent from October 31, 2019.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on October 31, 2020 were down 1 percent from the previous month and down slightly from October 31, 2019.  Butter stocks were down 13 percent from last month but up 28 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks on October 31, 2020 were up 10 percent from last month but down 15 percent from a year ago. Total frozen vegetable stocks were up 7 percent from last month and up 3 percent from a year ago.



Farm & Biofuel Leaders Urge Courts to Hold EPA Accountable on Improper 2016 Waiver

Today, a coalition of the nation’s largest biofuels and agricultural trade groups filed a motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia asking the court to enforce its 2017 decision requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address its improper waiver of 500 million gallons of biofuel demand in the 2016 renewable volume obligation (RVO).   

The coalition, which includes Growth Energy, Renewable Fuels Association, National Biodiesel Board, American Coalition for Ethanol, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, and National Sorghum Producers issued a statement following the filing:  

“It is simply unconscionable that EPA would so brazenly ignore a federal court’s order. The agency must do right by America’s farmers and biofuel producers and supporters. Together, our coalition represents millions of rural families who should not have to resort to more court proceedings to hold EPA accountable to the law. It’s well past overdue that EPA restore the 500 million gallons and focus on restoring integrity to the Renewable Fuel Standard.”  

In the July 2017 ruling of the case Americans for Clean Energy et al. v. EPA et al., the court invalidated the EPA’s improper waiver of 500 million gallons in the 2016 RVO and ordered EPA to revisit the rule. The court held that EPA’s interpretation of the “inadequate domestic supply” waiver provision “runs contrary to how the Renewable Fuel Program is supposed to work.” To date, EPA has failed to open any proceedings to reconsider the 2016 RVO and has not restored the 500 million lost RIN gallons.

 In the motion filed today, the coalition asks the court to:   
    Require EPA to issue a 500 million gallon “curative obligation” on obligated parties to make up for the lost gallons;   
    Require EPA to do so no more than 6 months after the court’s order;
    Require obligated parties to show compliance with the additional obligations no more than 3 months after EPA issues the curative obligation; and   
    Declare that it will not extend these deadlines.



Mercaris Expands Reporting Capabilities with New Organic Dairy Market Analysis

Dairy industry stakeholders can now rely on a regularly updated report to understand market influences, thanks to Mercaris. The report, released today, covers market and input insights and comes as organic dairy markets stand positioned for profitability after being largely flat over the last several years.

Mercaris, a leader in data insights for organic grain & oilseeds, announced the report as a complementary information source to their already established dairy trading platform.

“Our customers know that organic dairy is one of the largest, most important organic food and agriculture categories,” says Kellee James, co-founder and CEO of Mercaris. “This report covers the complex nature of this category from growth and value to participants in the market place, providing stakeholders with a deeper understanding of this nuanced market to help them make informed decisions.”

In its debut issue, the U.S. Organic Dairy Market Summary provides an outlook for the organic dairy industry moving into 2021, along with current trends and pricing. The report will be published twice annually.

The report provides data insights for:
    Organic Dairy Herd Size by State
    Pay Price for Fluid Milk
    Organic Milk Production by State
    Value of U.S. Organic Milk Production
    Retail Fluid Organic Milk Sales
    Organic Sales Growth Projections
    Organic Cream Prices
    Organic Feed Prices

The summary includes additional data and commentary on expected production, use, prices and more for organic dairy. For more information and to access a free copy of the summary, visit https://mercaris.com/landing_pages/u-s-organic-dairy-market-analysis.  



FFA Members Across the Country Give Back to Their Communities This Fall

Thanksgiving might look a little different this year—not as many large family gatherings, not as many in-person Black Friday sales—but FFA members around the country are working together to ensure their communities still have the food they need.

FFA members at the Lawrence Free State High School FFA in Kansas worked on gleaning from local gardens and/or farms, while members of the Tillamook FFA in Oregon organized a food drive and members of the Faded Blues Alumni FFA in North Carolina organized a food drive and developed a community garden. Many other members participated in food drives and gleaning gardens as well as creating food pantries.

It’s all part of the National Days of Service program through the National FFA Organization. Traditionally, members who attend the National FFA Convention & Expo participate in National Days of Service (NDoS), giving back to the community hosting the event. This year, the convention went virtual—so the National Days of Service program challenged members across the country to give back where they live. It’s all part of a bigger initiative by the organization to have nationwide community engagement programs for NDoS, sponsored by CoBank and Tractor Supply Company.

There were four areas that chapters were encouraged to explore: community safety; hunger, health and nutrition; environmental responsibility; and community engagement.

While more than 4,855 volunteers from 318 chapters across the country participated in the National Days of Service overall (from 45 states as well as Puerto Rico), 115 chapters focused specifically on hunger, health and nutrition. In fact, more than 1,512 members volunteered for a total of 5,691 hours. (Thirty-six states and Puerto Rico participated in this area for the National Days of Service.)

“We know service is an important part of the FFA experience for our members,” said Michele Sullivan, senior manager of local engagement for the National FFA Organization. “With convention going virtual this year, FFA was excited to launch the first-ever National Days of Service set to take place across the country. Members stepped up and put their leadership into action by serving their community in need. We plan to continue the virtual National Days of Service, along-side our in-person event, for years to come.”



World Ag Expo Goes Online

For the first time in show history, the 2021 World Ag Expo will be an online event February 9-11. Officials at the International Agri-Center announced the cancellation of the live event on September 14, and spent the next month carefully weighing the implications of a digital show.

"A digital show is not a replacement for a live event like World Ag Expo," said Jerry Sinift, International Agri-Center CEO. "But the ag industry has never stopped working, and neither will we. Ag is essential and so is our job as a trade show to bring buyers and sellers together. We're just going to do it a little bit differently in 2021."

World Ag Expo will work with Map Your Show, an industry leader in event and conference management software. The Map Your Show team has executed more than 120 digital trade shows since March.

While most digital trade shows have limited their online show to their traditional dates, the World Ag Expo team is taking a year-long approach.

"Instead of just a one-week show, we will be supporting our exhibitors and the online site throughout 2021," said Jennifer Fawkes, International Agri-Center Marketing Manager. "Each exhibitor has a micro-site within the show to share information and hold live chats, along with many other options. These can be changed during the year. As organizers, we will have online seminars, the Top-10 New Products Contest, and more new content being released throughout the year."

World Ag Expo Online will kick off February 9-11, 2021 - the original show dates. Live events and seminars will be scheduled 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. PST each day, but content will be available on-demand at no charge to attendees around the clock.



New Covid/Meat Industry Study Confirms Massive Risks to Public Health and Worker Safety
Press Release

Statement of Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter on the groundbreaking study “Livestock plants and COVID-19 transmission,” published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States of America:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has cast a bright spotlight on our broken food system, as employees and federal inspectors working in meat and poultry plants have borne the brunt of the outbreak, suffering unbelievably high illness and death rates. To be clear, these illnesses and deaths were absolutely preventable.

“The last thing we need right now are faster hog, beef and poultry line speeds with more contaminated products and more food workers at risk. Unlike Trump, the Biden administration should scrap these efforts and actually work to protect public health instead of industry profits.”

The new study comprehensively details how these impacts were not limited to people who work within the slaughterhouses. Indeed, as of July 21, 2020, such plants were associated with an inordinate 236,000 to 310,000, or 6 to 8% of all COVID-19 cases. They were associated with 4,300 to 5,200 deaths, or 3 to 4% of all deaths. These estimates controlled for a host of potentially confounding variables in counties. The temporary closure of high-risk plants were followed by lower rates of COVID-19 case growth.

This study shows that meat and poultry slaughter plants were in fact vectors of the disease.  In April of this year, the president declared workers in these plants “essential” workers. And while it turns out that the companies’ meat was far from essential for anything but the companies’ profits, the plants were essential for spreading the disease.

Researchers found that poultry plants showed a significant relationship with COVID-19 cases, with pork plants showing the strongest relationship. Beef plants showed the strongest relationship with deaths from the illness.

The study comes at a time when the USDA is considering dramatic policy changes relating to meat and poultry production. In 2018, the agency finalized its rules that lifted line-speed limits for hog slaughter plants, a move that has been challenged in several pending court cases.  The agency is considering similar changes in beef plants.  The USDA is also now considering a rule that would allow poultry plants to lift line-speed limits so that chicken carcasses whizz by federal inspectors at close to three birds per second.

The new study found that there was a relationship between those poultry plants whose line-speeds had already been lifted because of regulatory “waivers.”  The granting of a waiver predicted a two-fold increase in county-level COVID-19 case rates compared to plants without waivers, and it is even higher in plants granted waivers very recently. Faster production can result in both workers working much more closely to one another.



USDA Shares Easy At-Home Advice for Handling Food Safely this Thanksgiving

This week, Americans will enjoy a delicious meal on Thanksgiving Day with family and friends – either in person or virtually. Taking the necessary steps toward safe food handling and sanitation will help protect you and your loved ones this year. To make sure your Thanksgiving meal is prepared safely, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering food safety advice to reduce foodborne illness, including on Thanksgiving Day.

“Our data shows that consumers can reduce their likelihood of foodborne illness by focusing on good hand hygiene and other food safety practices,” said Dr. Mindy Brashears, USDA’s Under Secretary for Food Safety. “As home chefs nationwide prepare their Thanksgiving meals, proper handwashing and avoiding cross contamination in the kitchen are critical to keeping your loved ones safe.”

Wash Your Hands
The first step to safe food preparation is to clean. In recent USDA observational research, participants did not even attempt to wash their hands, or did not wash their hands sufficiently about 95 percent of the time before and during meal preparation.

Handwashing is recommended to control the spread of germs, especially before, during and after preparing food (especially after touching raw meat or poultry).

Thawing the Turkey
Frozen turkeys should never be thawed on the counter or in hot water and must not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. The best method to thaw the turkey is in the refrigerator since this allows slow, safe thawing. When thawing turkey in the refrigerator, allow about 24 hours for every five pounds of turkey. Once thawed, it can remain safe in the fridge for one to two days. Other safe thawing methods include a cold-water bath or the microwave. If you use either of these thawing methods, you should cook the turkey immediately after it is thawed. If using the cold-water method, allow 30 minutes per pound, and submerge the turkey in its original wrapping to avoid cross-contamination. If thawing in the microwave, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions when defrosting the turkey.

Avoid Cross-Contamination
In a recent study, USDA found 60 percent of kitchen sinks were contaminated with germs after participants washed or rinsed poultry. To avoid this cross-contamination risk, do not wash your turkey. But if you do wash your turkey or put your turkey in the sink, you need to fully clean and sanitize your sink. Cleaning and sanitizing is a two-step process. To clean, rub down surfaces — including the sink, cutting boards, and counter tops — with soap and hot water, and then sanitize them with a cleaning solution to remove any residual germs you cannot see. You can use a homemade solution of one tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach in one gallon of water. Let air dry.

Do Not Stuff the Turkey
Although many choose to stuff the turkey, USDA does not recommend doing so for optimal safety. Instead, cook stuffing outside of the turkey cavity to reduce cross-contamination risk. This will also allow your turkey to cook more quickly.

Cooking to the Safe Temperature
A whole turkey is safe when cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit as measured by a food thermometer in three parts: the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the wing, and the innermost part of the thigh. Even if the turkey has a pop-up temperature indicator, you should still use a food thermometer to check that the bird has reached at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit in those three places. If you are planning to cook a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey, check the temperature with the food thermometer (165 degrees Fahrenheit) at the thickest part the breast. All previously cooked side dishes should be reheated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit as measured by a food thermometer as well.

The Two-Hour Rule
To make sure food stays safe to eat through the weekend, all perishable items should be refrigerated within two hours of when they finished cooking. After two hours, perishable food will be in the Danger Zone (40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit) too long, which is when bacteria can multiply quickly and cause the food to become unsafe. If foods have been left out for more than two hours they should be discarded.

Store and Reheat Leftovers
Store leftovers in small, shallow containers in the refrigerator until the Monday after Thanksgiving Day or in the freezer for later use. Shallow containers help cool leftovers more quickly than storing them in large containers. Reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the internal temperature of the food in several places with a food thermometer after allowing a resting time.

You Have Questions, USDA Has Answers
For advice about how to safely prepare the turkey and all other menu items this Thanksgiving Day, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or chat live with a food safety expert at ask.usda.gov from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. If you need last-minute help on Thanksgiving Day, the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Visit FoodSafety.gov or follow USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Twitter @USDAFoodSafety or on Facebook at Facebook.com/FoodSafety.gov for the latest food safety tips.