Turkey prices are higher this Thanksgiving due to drought

ERLANGER, Ky. - If you haven’t gotten your turkey yet, there’s still time. We did some digging Monday to see if the drought this year has affected turkey prices. We found out that your Thanksgiving dinner might cost you a little more.

It was a busy day Monday at Tewes Poultry Farm in Erlanger, ky., with lines out the door at times. Carol Larkby was one of the many people that came to the farm to buy her Thanksgiving turkey.

"I got a 15-pound turkey," Larkby said. "The reason I came out here is that we love fresh turkey."

And the farm has plenty of fresh turkey to go around. Turkeys arrive at the farm in July and are raised to maturity. They're free-range fed turkeys who also eat feed. Because this summer's drought increased the price of corn and grain feed, these costs are passed on. 

Darlene Tewes, owner of Tewes Poultry Farm, said, "Because of the drought, our feed prices have gone up about 50 percent, so we did have to increase the price of our turkeys to make up for that. Really, the price of a turkey has gone up about $5 a turkey."

Despite the jump, many people are willing to pay to have that perfect turkey for their Thanksgiving feast. 

"I'm always nervous when we increase those prices," Tewes said. "I'm always like, oh gosh, people aren't going to want to pay it. Most people that call and order don't even ask.  I mean, they just know that this is what they want and know it's going to be good.”

Plenty of people showed up today and business is expected to be even busier by Wednesday. Larkby is willing to pay the price to keep family Thanksgiving traditions.

"It was probably three years ago when we started buying fresh and I just couldn't believe it. I had a friend that is a chef who talked me into buying a fresh turkey and there is a world of difference."

So, what if you’re planning on buying your turkey at the grocery store?  Well, the drought has increased the price of a turkey by about 20 cents a pound there. That means whether you go fresh or frozen, that Thanksgiving turkey will still cost you more.

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