U.S. Department of Agriculture
                 Agricultural Research Service
                 Talking Turkey Podcast Script
                     [Running time:  ~ 1:46]

Hi, I'm Jay Green with the Agricultural Research Service.  Or A-R-S.  ARS is the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency.

In many homes, Thanksgiving and other holidays just wouldn't be the same without a delicious
turkey as the main dinner entr‚e.  But how do you get the perfect bird to grace your table?  Let's
talk turkey.

Choosing a turkey that's the right size with just the right amount of white meat is possible thanks
to groundbreaking ARS research. In the 1930s, scientists at the ARS Henry A. Wallace Beltsville
Agricultural Research Center listened to consumers' requests for a smaller turkey. 

Researchers used four different breeds to create a smaller turkey, which averages 8 to 15 pounds.
The American Poultry Association officially recognized the new bird as the Beltsville Small
White back in 1951.

The Beltsville Small White became the genetic foundation of practically every turkey sold today. 
But consumers still wanted a bird with more breast meat.  As a result, the Beltsville Small White
was bred with other turkey breeds to create the Broad-Breasted White.

Now, with more than 300 million turkeys produced each year in the United States, you're bound
to find that perfect turkey-large or small-that fits into your refrigerator and oven. 

That's our podcast for today.  As you enjoy gobbling your turkey this holiday season, remember
to give thanks to ARS scientists for their contributions to a family tradition.

Created November 2011  

USDA is an equal opportunity employer.