National Turkey Federation Introduces 2020 Presidential Turkey Contestants, Corn and Cob

The National Turkey Federation (NTF) presented the two birds vying for the title of National Thanksgiving Turkey on Monday, November 23, at a Washington hotel.

NTF Chairman Ron Kardel introduced the Broad Breasted White turkeys, who were named Corn and Cob in honor of their home state, Iowa.

Corn and Cob arrived at the Willard hotel on Sunday ahead of the White House’s annual Thanksgiving turkey-pardoning ceremony on Tuesday.

Every year, the chairman of the NTF selects the birds that will represent the turkey industry and presents one to the president during a Rose Garden ceremony wherein the bird is granted a reprieve from a Thanksgiving table.

After the ceremony, Corn and Cob were due to “retire” to Iowa State University (ISU) to be a part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ teaching and outreach activities, ISU said.

The official poll to vote for the 2020 National Thanksgiving Turkey closed after 24 hours on Monday night.

UPDATE: The White House Twitter account said Corn had won the poll. Credit: National Turkey Federation via Storyful