SOUTH CAROLINA EGG PRODUCTION DOWN

Columbia, S.C., NOVEMBER 23, 2004: SOUTH CAROLINA'S laying flocks produced 115 million eggs during October down 4 percent from last year, according to the South Carolina Agricultural Statistical Office. Production totaled 95 million table eggs and 20 million hatching eggs. The number of layers averaged 5,222,000 birds, which was down 3 percent from 5,408,000 a year ago. October egg production per 100 layers was 2,202 eggs, compared with 2,219 in October 2003.

U.S. egg production totaled 7.64 billion during October 2004, up 3 percent from last year. Production included 6.56 billion table eggs, and 1.08 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.02 billion were broiler-type and 62 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during October 2004 averaged 344 million, up 3 percent from a year earlier. October egg production per 100 layers was 2,221 eggs, up slightly from October 2003.

SOUTH CAROLINA BROILER HATCHERY PRODUCTION DOWN

During the month of October SOUTH CAROLINA'S broiler hatcheries produced 15.45 million chicks, down 1 percent from 15.65 million chicks in October of 2003.

The October 2004 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 758 million, was up 3 percent from October of the previous year. There were 608 million eggs in incubators on November 1, 2004, up 3 percent from a year earlier.

For additional information call:

          Robert A. Graham, Director

          Stan Cheek, Agricultural Statistician

          Office Telephone: (803) 765-5333