SOUTH CAROLINA EGG PRODUCTION DOWN

Columbia, S.C., May 25, 2005: SOUTH CAROLINA'S laying flocks produced 100 million eggs during April, down 7 percent from a year ago, according to the USDA, South Carolina Statistical Office. Production totaled 82 million table eggs and 18 million hatching eggs. The number of layers averaged 4,955,000 birds, down 4 percent from 5,161,000 a year ago. April egg production per 100 layers was 2,018 eggs, compared with 2,073 in April 2004.

          UNITED STATES egg production totaled 7.39 billion during April 2005, up slightly from last year. Production included 6.29 billion table eggs, and 1.10 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.04 billion were broiler-type and 63 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during April 2005 averaged 344 million, up slightly from a year earlier. April egg production per 100 layers was 2,148 eggs, unchanged from April 2004.

SOUTH CAROLINA BROILER HATCHERY PRODUCTION INCREASES

During the month of April, SOUTH CAROLINA’S broiler hatcheries produced 18.4 million chicks, up 43 percent from a year ago.

The UNITED STATES broiler-type chicks hatched during April 2005 totaled 790 million, up 2 percent from April 2004. Eggs in incubators totaled 663 million on May 1, 2005, up slightly from a year earlier.

For additional information call:

                   Robert A. Graham, Director

                   Stan Cheek, Agricultural Statistician

                   Office Telephone: (803) 765-5333