ST. PAUL (AP) - Two Minnesota turkeys have had an audience with Gov. Mark Dayton before they make their way toward someone's dinner table.

Dayton held the ritual pre-Thanksgiving event Monday where turkey growers tout the state's status as the nation's top producer and where a big industry donation gets made to local food shelves. Unlike some states, the birds that visit the governor don't automatically get a lifetime pardon.

While patting one of the 20-pound live turkeys, Dayton said it was "already doomed."

Minnesota farmers raise 46 million turkeys annually, which is nearly one-fifth of all those grown in the United States. Association president John Gorton says strong turkey prices couple with lower feed costs have made for a strong year.

The Minnesota Turkey Growers Association donated 11,500 pounds of turkey worth $13,000.

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