SOUTH CAROLINA EGG PRODUCTION DOWN

Columbia, S.C., SEPTEMBER 16, 2005: SOUTH CAROLINA'S laying flocks produced 103 million eggs during August, down 14 percent from last year, according to the USDA NASS, South Carolina Field Office. Production totaled 83 million table eggs and 20 million hatching eggs. The number of layers averaged 4,825,000 birds, which was down from 5,228,000 a year ago. August egg production per 100 layers was 2,135 eggs, compared with 2,295 in August 2004.

UNITED STATES egg production totaled 7.56 billion during August 2005, up slightly from last year. Production included 6.46 billion table eggs, and 1.10 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.04 billion were broiler-type and 62 million were egg-type. The total number of layers during August 2005 averaged 341 million, down 1 percent from a year earlier. August egg production per 100 layers was 2,219 eggs, up 1 percent from August 2004.

SOUTH CAROLINA BROILER HATCHERY PRODUCTION UP

During the month of August SOUTH CAROLINA'S broiler hatcheries produced 18.6 million chicks, up 30 percent from August of 2004.

The UNITED STATES broiler-type chicks hatched during August 2005 totaled 812 million, up slightly from August 2004. Eggs in incubators totaled 652 million on August 1, 2005, down slightly from a year earlier.

For additional information call:

         Robert A. Graham, Director

         Stan Cheek, Agricultural Statistician

         Office Telephone: (803) 765-5333