SOUTH CAROLINA EGG PRODUCTION DOWN

Columbia, S.C., June 30, 2005:SOUTH CAROLINA'S laying flocks produced 100 million eggs during May, down 1 percent from a year ago, according to the USDA, NASS, South Carolina Field Office. Production totaled 80 million table eggs and 20 million hatching eggs. The number of layers averaged 4,917,000 birds, down 9 percent from 5,226,000 a year ago. May egg production per 100 layers was 2,034 eggs, compared to 2,028 in May 2004.

UNITED STATES egg production totaled 7.56 billion during May 2005, up one percent from last year. Production included 6.43 billion table eggs, and 1.13 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.07 billion were broiler-type and 65 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during May 2005 averaged 342 million, down slightly from a year earlier. May egg production per 100 layers was 2,210 eggs, up one percent from May 2004.

SOUTH CAROLINA BROILER HATCHERY PRODUCTION INCREASES

During the month of May, SOUTH CAROLINA’S broiler hatcheries produced 18.8 million chicks, up 36 percent from a year ago.

The UNITED STATES broiler-type chicks hatched during May 2005 totaled 823 million, up 2 percent from May 2004. Eggs in incubators totaled 667 million on June 1, 2005, up 1 percent from a year earlier.

For additional information call:

                    Robert A. Graham, Director

                    Stan Cheek, Agricultural Statistician

                    Office Telephone: (803) 765-5333