Wisconsin Ag Connection - Wisconsin Tops Nation in Mink Pelt, Kits & Number of Farms

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Wisconsin Tops Nation in Mink Pelt, Kits & Number of Farms
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 07/15/2008

The fur industry has Wisconsin mink producers to thank for another good crop during the past year. The latest numbers on mink pelt production indicate that the state continues to lead the U.S. at 914,100--three percent from last year's harvest. Wisconsin's pelt production accounted for 32 percent of the nation's total pelt production.

Females bred in Wisconsin to produce kits during the current year increased to 217,830. This also accounted for 32 percent of the U.S. total. The number of farms producing pelts in Wisconsin was up by three at 71--which puts the state in first place over Utah, which has 65 facilities.

Nationwide, mink pelt production during 2007 totaled 2.83 million pelts, down one percent from 2006. Females bred in the United States to produce kits totaled 691,170, a decrease of one percent from the previous year. Mink pelts produced during the 2007 crop year were valued at $186 million, up 34 percent from $139 million a year earlier. The average price per pelt for the 2007 crop year was $65.70, up $17.30 from the 2006 price of $48.40.

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