HDR1012000150020131961500Chickens & Eggs                                        
HDR2012000150020131961500Chickens & Eggs Tables & Narr.                         
Released January 31, 1996, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service      
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  For     
information on "Chickens and Eggs" call Dan Boostrom at (202) 720-3244, office  
hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.  For assistance with general agricultural      
statistics, information about NASS, its products or services, contact the NASS  
Information Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 or E-mail:  NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV.           
Estimates refer to November and December 1995 and January 1996.                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
               December Egg Production up slightly                              
                                                                                
U.S. egg production totaled 6.53  billion during December 1995, up slightly     
from the 6.52 billion produced December 1994.  Production included 5.56         
billion table eggs and 975 million hatching egg type, of which 919 million      
were broiler-type and 56.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers   
during December 1995 averaged 299 million, down slightly from the average       
number of layers during December 1994.  December egg production per 100 layers  
was 2,185 eggs, compared with 2,176 in December 1994.                           
                                                                                
Pou 1-1 (1-96)                                                                  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
All layers in the U.S. on January 1, 1996, totaled 300 million, down slightly   
from a year ago.  The 300 million layers consisted of 247 million layers        
producing table or commercial type eggs, 50.5 million layers producing          
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.56 million layers producing egg-type          
hatching eggs.  Rate of lay per day on January 1, 1996, averaged 69.9 eggs per  
100 layers, down slightly from the 70.0 eggs a year ago.                        
                                                                                
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 6.18 billion eggs  
during December, up slightly from December 1994.  The average number of layers  
during December, at 283 million, was down slightly from the year earlier.       
                                                                                
Individual State estimates are available for the 30 major egg producing         
States.  These States are listed on page 8 of this release and account for      
approximately 95 percent of the total U.S. egg production.  Production for the  
other States are grouped into an "Other States" category and combined with the  
30 States published individually to obtain a U.S. estimate.  Individual State   
estimates' for "Other States" are available annually in the "Layers and Egg     
Production" report.                                                             
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Egg-Type Chicks Hatched Up 3 Percent                             
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched during December totaled 30.0 million, up 3 percent      
from December 1994.  Eggs in incubators totaled 28.5 million on January 1,      
1996, down 3 percent from a year ago.                                           
                                                                                
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply        
flocks by leading breeders totaled 224,000 during December 1995, up 79 percent  
from the 125,000 of December 1994.                                              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Broiler Hatch Up 5 Percent                                  
                                                                                
The December 1995 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 690 million, was 5 percent   
above December of the previous year.  There were 571 million eggs in            
incubators on January 1, 1996, up 7 percent from a year earlier.                
                                                                                
Leading  breeders placed 6.02 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future     
domestic hatchery supply flocks during December 1995, down 6 percent from       
December 1994.                                                                  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                        For information call Tom Kruchten at (202) 690-4870     
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Layers:  Average Number During the Month,                   
                           United States, 1993-1996 1/                          
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month  :      1993       :      1994      :      1995       :      1996       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                             1,000 Layers                             
         :                                                                      
Dec 2/   :     284,267          290,642           299,434           299,051     
Jan      :     284,398          290,041           299,084                       
Feb      :     284,638          290,047           297,759                       
Mar      :     284,405          290,719           296,796                       
Apr      :     284,234          290,073           295,293                       
May      :     283,694          288,784           292,548                       
Jun      :     282,914          287,974           289,705                       
Jul      :     283,324          287,990           287,557                       
Aug      :     284,192          290,321           287,837                       
Sep      :     285,418          293,381           290,021                       
Oct      :     286,948          295,172           292,459                       
Nov      :     288,875          297,134           295,562                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Data are for chart on cover page.                                           
2/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Eggs:  Production During the Month by Type,                  
                             United States, 1995-96                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :     Total Eggs      :      Table Eggs      :     Hatching Eggs     
   Month   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996    :   1995    :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                            Million Eggs                            
           :                                                                    
Dec 1/     :   6,516     6,534       5,568      5,559         948        975    
Jan        :   6,369                 5,417                    952               
Feb        :   5,714                 4,854                    860               
Mar        :   6,448                 5,492                    956               
Apr        :   6,177                 5,238                    939               
May        :   6,251                 5,271                    980               
Jun        :   6,010                 5,060                    950               
Jul        :   6,145                 5,179                    966               
Aug        :   6,146                 5,191                    955               
Sep        :   5,990                 5,063                    927               
Oct        :   6,260                 5,301                    959               
Nov        :   6,232                 5,298                    934               
During Year:  74,258     6,534      62,932      5,559      11,326        975    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
            and Forced Molt, United States, November-December 1994-95  1/       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1995    
                   Item                  :    1994    :   1995     :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1994    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Nov                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  297,134      295,562         99     
    Table Egg Type                       :  246,382      243,015         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   50,752       52,547        104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   48,054       49,972        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,698        2,575         95     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Nov  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,113        2,109        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,180        2,180        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,785        1,777        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,763        1,759        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,187        2,136         98     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Nov       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,278        6,232         99     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,372        5,298         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      906          934        103     
      Broilers-Type Hatching             :      847          879        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       59           55         93     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Dec 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  298,509      298,293        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :  247,537      245,301         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   50,972       52,992        104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   48,255       50,487        105     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,717        2,505         92     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Dec 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     70.7         71.0        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     73.0         73.6        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.7         59.1         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.8         58.4         99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.1         73.3         98     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Dec 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      3.5          2.2         63     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     25.1         25.5        102     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
            and Forced Molt, United States, December-January 1994-96            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1995    
                   Item                  :  1994 1/   :  1995 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1994    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Dec                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  299,434      299,051        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :  247,943      246,012         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   51,491       53,039        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   48,737       50,501        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,754        2,538         92     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Dec  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,176        2,185        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,246        2,260        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,841        1,838        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,816        1,820        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,288        2,206         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Dec       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,516        6,534        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,568        5,559        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      948          975        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      885          919        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       63           56         89     
                                         :--------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                                         :   1995 1/  :  1996 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
                                         :--------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers on Jan 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  300,331      299,766        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :  248,343      246,703         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   51,988       53,063        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,208       50,502        103     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,780        2,561         92     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jan 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     70.0         69.9        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     72.2         72.2        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.4         59.3        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.5         58.5        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.0         74.7        100     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Jan 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.6          3.7         80     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.9         24.3        102     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
           Molt, November-December, 30 Selected States, 1994-95 1/ 2/           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1995    
                   Item                  :    1994    :    1995    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1994    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Nov               (1,000)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :  280,729      279,428        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :  233,222      230,388         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   47,507       49,040        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   44,917       46,556        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,590        2,484         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Nov (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,110        2,109        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,177        2,180        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,777        1,774        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,754        1,755        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,162        2,134         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Nov      (Million)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,922        5,893        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,078        5,023         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      844          870        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      788          817        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       56           53         95     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Dec 1                 (1,000)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,079      282,226        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :  234,376      232,794         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   47,703       49,432        104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   45,092       47,017        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,611        2,415         92     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Dec 1   (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :     70.6         71.0        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     72.9         73.5        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.4         59.0         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.5         58.3        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     74.9         73.1         98     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Dec 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      3.4          2.3         68     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     25.4         25.6        101     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Nov          (1,000)  :   14,974       13,741         92     
                                         :                                      
Layers Died, Destroyed, or               :                                      
Disappeared For Any Reason               :                                      
 During Nov                     (1,000)  :    2,608        2,503         96     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Dec 1                  (1,000)  :   74,009       74,031        100     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Nov        (1,000)  :   19,862       21,609        109     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
2/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
              Molt, 30 Selected States, December-January 1994-96 1/             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1995    
                  Item                   :   1994 2/  :  1995 3/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1994    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Dec                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,956      282,863        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :  234,742      233,361         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,214       49,502        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   45,564       47,052        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,650        2,450         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Dec  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,176        2,184        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,245        2,259        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,836        1,834        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,808        1,815        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,302        2,204         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Dec       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,156        6,179        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,271        5,271         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      885          908        103     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      824          854        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       61           54         95     
                                         :                                      
                                         :--------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                                         :  1995 2/   :  1996 3/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
                                         :--------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers on Jan 1                          :                                      
  All Layers                             :  283,802      283,471        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :  235,094      233,916         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,708       49,555        104     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,028       47,078        104     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,680        2,477         92     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jan 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     70.1         69.9        101     
  Table Egg Type                         :     72.3         72.2        101     
  Hatching Egg Type                      :     59.4         59.3         99     
    Broiler-Type Hatching                :     58.5         58.5        100     
    Egg-Type Hatching                    :     75.0         74.7         98     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Jan 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.5          3.7         68     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     24.2         24.4        101     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Dec           (1,000) :   16,393       14,409         92     
                                         :                                      
Layers Died, Destroyed, or               :                                      
 Disappeared For Any Reason              :                                      
 During Dec                      (1,000) :    2,627        2,494         96     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
  of Age, Jan 1                  (1,000) :   73,255       71,971        100     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Dec         (1,000) :   19,668       18,242        109     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
3/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                  and United States, During November 1994-95 1/                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :     Eggs per 100 for     
         :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :      All Layers 2/       
  State  :----------------------------------------------------------------------
         :   1994    :    1995    :  1994  :  1995   :    1994    :    1995     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ------ Number -----    
         :                                                                      
AL       :    5,111       4,538     11,705    11,307     1,956         1,963    
AR       :    6,680       5,627     16,680    15,797     1,841         1,829    
CA       :   26,344      25,080     26,967    25,636     2,110         2,142    
CO       :    2,506       2,589      3,015     3,123     1,957         2,081    
CT       :    3,461       3,380      3,649     3,542     2,192         2,202    
FL       :    9,177       8,757      9,841     9,420     2,103         2,091    
GA       :   10,739      10,947     18,467    18,958     2,069         1,999    
HI       :      718         731        801       780     1,914         1,923    
IL       :    2,800       2,729      2,987     2,928     2,310         2,220    
IN       :   20,538      19,849     21,390    20,787     2,127         2,179    
IA       :   14,555      15,885     15,350    16,749     2,150         2,161    
ME       :    4,873       4,761      5,031     4,881     2,286         2,336    
MD       :    2,793       3,411      3,305     3,844     2,209         2,237    
MI       :    5,333       5,045      5,650     5,320     2,226         2,127    
MN       :   10,028      10,323     10,878    11,176     2,133         2,130    
MS       :    2,641       2,272      6,598     6,142     1,925         1,954    
MO       :    6,100       5,850      6,866     6,905     2,214         2,085    
NE       :    8,850       8,890      9,000     9,040     2,073         2,076    
NY       :    3,607       3,699      3,961     4,020     2,323         2,289    
NC       :    6,675       6,170     14,033    13,861     1,917         1,876    
OH       :   21,294      21,840     21,590    22,290     2,219         2,239    
OK       :    1,955       1,998      3,740     3,843     1,925         1,978    
OR       :    2,306       2,332      2,502     2,520     2,398         2,381    
PA       :   20,165      19,915     21,531    21,238     2,253         2,251    
SC       :    4,035       3,792      5,076     4,809     2,167         2,163    
SD       :    1,603       1,495      1,858     1,730     2,130         2,250    
TX       :   12,470      13,268     15,676    16,486     2,073         2,093    
VA       :    1,691       1,729      3,767     3,806     2,124         1,971    
WA       :    5,085       4,977      5,316     5,203     2,276         2,229    
WI       :    2,990       2,770      3,499     3,287     2,143         2,190    
         :                                                                      
30 Sts   :  227,123     224,649    280,729   279,428     2,110         2,109    
         :                                                                      
Oth      :                                                                      
 Sts 3/  :   11,727      11,306     16,405    16,134     2,164         2,101    
         :                                                                      
US       :  238,850     235,955    297,134   295,562     2,113         2,109    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
2/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg    
    flocks regardless of size.                                                  
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                  and United States, During December 1994-95 1/                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :     Eggs per 100 for     
         :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :      All Layers 2/       
  State  :----------------------------------------------------------------------
         :   1994    :    1995    :  1994  :  1995   :    1994    :    1995     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ------ Number -----    
         :                                                                      
AL       :    4,788       4,474     11,722    11,250     1,988         1,964    
AR       :    6,407       5,550     16,540    15,839     1,929         1,900    
CA       :   26,754      25,113     27,359    25,670     2,164         2,236    
CO       :    2,546       2,599      3,089     3,185     2,007         2,166    
CT       :    3,478       3,366      3,663     3,518     2,239         2,274    
FL       :    9,146       8,929      9,777     9,612     2,209         2,216    
GA       :   10,619      10,874     18,286    18,844     2,144         2,091    
HI       :      734         734        802       782     1,978         2,009    
IL       :    2,715       3,048      2,915     3,248     2,436         2,278    
IN       :   20,937      20,264     21,853    21,329     2,215         2,246    
IA       :   15,188      17,198     16,026    18,068     2,147         2,225    
ME       :    4,783       4,789      4,945     4,882     2,346         2,438    
MD       :    2,719       3,317      3,294     3,768     2,338         2,256    
MI       :    5,143       5,055      5,450     5,325     2,272         2,142    
MN       :   10,148      10,623     10,965    11,453     2,234         2,226    
MS       :    2,567       2,331      6,473     6,257     2,024         2,030    
MO       :    6,103       5,805      6,918     6,951     2,284         2,144    
NE       :    8,950       9,025      9,100     9,175     2,207         2,148    
NY       :    3,551       3,710      3,888     4,019     2,392         2,364    
NC       :    6,556       6,105     13,945    13,759     1,986         1,941    
OH       :   22,238      22,339     22,511    22,826     2,270         2,335    
OK       :    1,950       1,965      3,735     3,900     1,981         2,051    
OR       :    2,420       2,367      2,616     2,539     2,332         2,363    
PA       :   20,590      20,075     22,005    21,415     2,313         2,344    
SC       :    4,018       3,683      5,088     4,678     2,221         2,266    
SD       :    1,588       1,568      1,838     1,778     2,226         2,285    
TX       :   12,425      13,343     15,581    16,445     2,137         2,165    
VA       :    1,711       1,725      3,866     3,819     2,069         2,016    
WA       :    5,009       5,017      5,253     5,236     2,380         2,273    
WI       :    2,928       2,783      3,453     3,293     2,201         2,247    
         :                                                                      
30 Sts   :  228,709     227,774    282,956   282,863     2,176         2,184    
         :                                                                      
Oth      :                                                                      
 Sts 3/  :   11,809      11,321     16,478    16,188     2,185         2,193    
         :                                                                      
US       :  240,518     239,095    299,434   299,051     2,176         2,185    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1995 preliminary, 1994 revised.                                             
2/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg    
    flocks regardless of size.                                                  
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                               November 1994-95 1/                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1994   :   1995   :   1994   :   1995   :  1994   :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    229        222        112        103       117       119    
AR             :    307        289        139        115       168       174    
CA             :    569        549                                              
CO             :     59         65                                              
CT             :     80         78                                              
FL             :    207        197        195        186        12        11    
GA             :    382        379        241        233       141       146    
HI             :     15         15         15         15         0         0    
IL             :     69         65         68         64         1         1    
IN             :    455        453        445        444        10         9    
IA             :    330        362                                              
ME             :    115        114                                              
MD             :     73         86         65         79         8         7    
MI             :    126        113                                              
MN             :    232        238        223        229         9         9    
MS             :    127        120         56         50        71        70    
MO             :    152        144                                              
NE             :    187        188        187        188         0         0    
NY             :     92         92                                              
NC             :    269        260        150        138       119       122    
OH             :    479        499                                              
OK             :     72         76         46         48        26        28    
OR             :     60         60         58         58         2         2    
PA             :    485        478        469        463        16        15    
SC             :    110        104         92         85        18        19    
SD             :     40         39         40         39         0         0    
TX             :    325        345        282        294        43        51    
VA             :     80         75         41         39        39        36    
WA             :    121        116                                              
WI             :     75         72                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,922      5,893      5,078      5,023       844       870    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    355        339        293        275        62        64    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,278      6,232      5,372      5,298       906       934    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
2/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing         
    individual operations.                                                      
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                               December 1994-95 1/                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1994   :   1995   :   1994   :   1995   :  1994   :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    233        221        110         99       123       122    
AR             :    319        301        138        119       181       182    
CA             :    592        574                                              
CO             :     62         69                                              
CT             :     82         80                                              
FL             :    216        213        204        201        12        12    
GA             :    392        394        249        242       143       152    
HI             :     15         15         15         15         0         0    
IL             :     71         74         69         73         2         1    
IN             :    484        479        473        470        11         9    
IA             :    344        402                                              
ME             :    116        119                                              
MD             :     77         85         67         77        10         8    
MI             :    124        114                                              
MN             :    245        255        236        246         9         9    
MS             :    131        127         59         55        72        72    
MO             :    158        149                                              
NE             :    201        197        201        197         0         0    
NY             :     93         95                                              
NC             :    277        267        154        138       123       129    
OH             :    511        533                                              
OK             :     74         80         47         49        27        31    
OR             :     61         60         59         59         2         1    
PA             :    509        502        491        485        18        17    
SC             :    113        106         94         87        19        19    
SD             :     41         41         41         41         0         0    
TX             :    333        356        288        303        45        53    
VA             :     80         77         39         40        41        37    
WA             :    125        119                                              
WI             :     76         74                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  6,156      6,179      5,271      5,271       885       908    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 1/     :    360        355        297        288        63        67    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,516      6,534      5,568      5,559       948       975    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1995 preliminary, 1994 revised.                                             
2/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing         
    individual operations.                                                      
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by Month,                 
                            United States, 1995-96 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :       Percent Being Molted        :    Percent with Molt Completed    
  Month :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
        :      1995       :      1996       :      1995       :      1996       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                                Percent                                
        :                                                                       
Jan     :       4.6               3.7              23.9              24.3       
Feb     :       6.3                                23.7                         
Mar     :       4.8                                24.1                         
Apr     :       3.4                                23.8                         
May     :       5.7                                22.4                         
Jun     :       6.0                                23.0                         
Jul     :       4.9                                23.4                         
Aug     :       4.1                                23.4                         
Sep     :       4.6                                23.3                         
Oct     :       5.1                                23.3                         
Nov     :       3.6                                24.2                         
Dec     :       2.2                                25.5                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State                  
                          and United States, 1995-96 1/                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               January                               
          :---------------------------------------------------------------------
   State  :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
          :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1995       :      1996       :      1995      :      1996      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       2.5               3.5              15.5             12.0      
AR        :       4.5               2.5              11.0             11.0      
CA        :       6.5               6.0              48.0             50.0      
CO        :       1.0               3.5              26.0             21.0      
CT        :       3.0               2.5               7.0             12.0      
FL        :      14.0               4.0              32.5             38.0      
GA        :       2.0               2.0              24.0             20.0      
HI        :       4.5               7.0              45.5             48.0      
IL        :       3.5               6.0              26.0             39.0      
IN        :       5.0               4.5              33.0             25.5      
IA        :       5.0               2.5              32.0             28.5      
ME        :        .5                .0                .0               .5      
MD        :       2.5               1.5              20.0             40.0      
MI        :       5.5               5.0              13.5             24.0      
MN        :       3.0               4.0              27.0             34.5      
MS        :       3.0               1.0              15.5             14.5      
MO        :       2.5               1.0              24.5             26.0      
NE        :       6.0              10.0              24.0             29.0      
NY        :        .0                .0              10.0              6.0      
NC        :       2.0               2.0              18.5             11.5      
OH        :       6.5               3.0               9.0             13.0      
OK        :       3.5               3.0              16.5              9.5      
OR        :       6.0               9.0              26.0             34.0      
PA        :       5.0               4.0              22.0             20.0      
SC        :       5.5               3.0              30.0             43.0      
SD        :       1.5               1.5              44.5             25.5      
TX        :       3.0               3.5              24.5             22.0      
VA        :       4.0               8.0              10.0             15.0      
WA        :       4.5               6.5              40.5             44.0      
WI        :       6.5               2.0              25.5             26.5      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       4.5               3.7              24.2             24.4      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       5.8               3.3              19.5             22.9      
          :                                                                     
US        :       4.6               3.7              23.9             24.3      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
2/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
            Hatchery Production:  Eggs in Incubators, Chicks Hatched,           
         and Placements by Type, United States, December-January 1994-96        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1995    
                   Item                  :    1994    :    1995    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1994    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Jan 1 1/         :    29,548       28,542        97     
  Chicks Hatched During Dec              :    29,072       30,012       103     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Dec            :   378,874      383,280       101     
  Pullets Hatched During Jan for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       125          224       179     
    7-18 Month Earlier 2/                :     2,929        3,113       106     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Jan 1 1/         :   534,462      570,863       107     
  Chicks Hatched During Dec              :   658,914      689,596       105     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Dec            : 7,549,753    7,907,080       105     
  Pullets Hatched During Jan for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,413        6,023        94     
    7-15 Months Earlier 3/               :    51,995       54,755       105     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Following year.                                                             
2/  1995 includes pullet chicks hatched June 1994 through May 1995.             
3/  1995 includes pullet chicks hatched Sep 1994 through May 1995.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                               January 1, 1995-96                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                Geographic               :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    4,234        3,850         91     
E North Central                          :    8,024        7,816         97     
W North Central                          :    4,751        4,147         87     
South Atlantic                           :    4,931        4,773         97     
South Central                            :    3,694        4,046        110     
West                                     :    3,914        3,910        100     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   29,548       28,542         97     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
Regional Listing:                                                               
North Atlantic  = CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT.                           
E North Central = IL, IN, MI, OH, WI.                                           
W North Central = IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD.                                   
South Atlantic  = DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV.                               
South Central   = AL, AR, KY, LA, MS, OK, TN, TX.                               
West            = AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY.           
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State and United States, December 1994-95     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            December            :             Jan-Dec             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
             :   1994   :   1995   : as % of  :   1994   :   1995    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1994   :          :           :   1994   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :   1,231        497       40       13,194      12,229       93    
FL           :   1,111      1,052       95       12,783      12,664       99    
GA           :   1,171      1,412      121       19,850      20,381      103    
IN           :   6,574      7,151      109       77,688      82,728      106    
IA           :   1,865      2,028      109       29,123      28,762       99    
KS           :     185        239      129        3,239       3,266      101    
MN           :   2,004      2,186      109       23,397      26,341      113    
MO           :     313        481      154        5,603       5,279       94    
PA           :   2,841      2,953      104       48,228      39,413       82    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  11,777     12,013      102      145,769     152,217      104    
             :                                                                  
US           :  29,072     30,012      103      378,874     383,280      101    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1993-95           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :             By Months             :             Cumulative             
       :------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month :        :        :        :  1995  :        :        :        :  1995   
       :  1993  :  1994  :  1995  :as % of :  1993  :  1994  :  1995  : as % of 
       :        :        :        :  1994  :        :        :        :  1994   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       : --------- 1,000 --------  Percent  --------- 1,000 ---------   Percent 
       :                                                                        
Jan    : 34,855   33,212   31,527     95     34,855   33,212   31,527      95   
Feb    : 34,009   31,086   31,693    102     68,864   64,298   63,220      98   
Mar    : 38,264   33,492   34,806    104    107,128   97,790   98,026     100   
Apr    : 37,163   35,668   34,101     96    144,291  133,458  132,127      99   
May    : 36,742   35,336   36,335    103    181,033  168,794  168,462     100   
Jun    : 35,587   31,986   33,392    104    216,620  200,780  201,854     101   
Jul    : 33,980   29,613   28,682     97    250,600  230,393  230,536     100   
Aug    : 31,455   31,295   30,399     97    282,055  261,688  260,935     100   
Sep    : 31,775   30,873   32,112    104    313,830  292,561  293,047     100   
Oct    : 31,634   31,766   31,682    100    345,464  324,327  324,729     100   
Nov    : 30,074   25,475   28,539    112    375,538  349,802  353,268     101   
Dec    : 30,448   29,072   30,012    103    405,986  378,874  383,280     101   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
        Intended Placements:  Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply        
              Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1993-95 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1995  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-18 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1994  :-----------------------------------
         :  1993  :  1994  :  1995  :       :   1994    :   1995    :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 --------   Percent    ----------- 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
Jan      :   193      197      236     120      2,806       2,916       3,093   
Feb      :   119      186      251     135      2,812       2,937       3,064   
Mar      :   268      259      356     137      2,754       3,027       2,918   
Apr      :   251      277      317     114      2,787       3,072       2,895   
May      :   275      334      193      58      2,801       3,091       2,934   
Jun      :   267      254      234      92      2,690       3,156       2,835   
Jul      :   243      264      235      89      2,782       3,013       2,934   
Aug      :   219      309      163      53      2,786       3,052               
Sep      :   270      315      292      93      2,853       3,117               
Oct      :   251      270      309     114      2,844       3,214               
Nov      :   158      223      124      56      2,870       3,254               
Dec      :   268      125      224     179      2,929       3,113               
         :                                                                      
Total    : 2,782    3,013    2,934      97                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes   
    expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate
    of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.                             
2/  For Dec 1995, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Jun 1994 through May   
    1995.  The 7-18 months represent the first laying cycle.  Molting and       
    additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative potential placements. 
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Broiler-Type Eggs In Incubators:  By Region                  
                      and United States, January 1, 1995-96                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1996        
     Geographic    :       1995        :       1996        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1995        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       11,166              11,413               102         
E North Central    :        5,911               7,864               133         
W North Central    :       13,237              21,463               162         
South Atlantic     :      213,690             227,532               106         
South Central      :      269,989             281,182               104         
West               :       20,469              21,409               105         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      534,462             570,863               107         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                       and United States, December 1994-95                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            December            :             Jan-Dec             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
             :   1994   :   1995   : as % of  :   1994   :   1995    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1994   :          :           :   1994   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  93,917     89,463       95     1,059,285   1,073,298     101    
AR           : 103,260    108,979      106     1,228,120   1,239,064     101    
DE           :  16,785     16,265       97       190,222     197,157     104    
FL           :   9,318     10,669      114       137,976     121,272      88    
GA           :  95,204    103,542      109     1,076,046   1,155,423     107    
MD           :  32,675     31,472       96       375,637     372,925      99    
MS           :  55,408     56,853      103       618,314     645,653     104    
NC           :  62,214     64,794      104       706,695     748,689     106    
PA           :  11,531     12,392      107       135,932     135,452     100    
SC           :  15,577     15,692      101       179,657     183,771     102    
TX           :  38,221     42,458      111       432,584     469,706     109    
VA           :  23,821     24,456      103       272,052     282,296     104    
CA TN & WV   :  34,216     34,678      101       386,100     407,809     106    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 592,147    611,713      103     6,798,620   7,032,515     103    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   6,016      5,515       92        70,170      66,223      94    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  60,751     72,368      119       680,963     808,342     119    
             :                                                                  
US           : 658,914    689,596      105     7,549,753   7,907,080     105    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  States in the weekly hatchery production estimating program.                
2/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
            Broiler Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1993-95           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :             By Months             :             Cumulative             
       :------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month :        :        :        :  1995  :        :        :        :  1995   
       :  1993  :  1994  :  1995  :as % of :  1993  :  1994  :  1995  : as % of 
       :        :        :        :  1994  :        :        :        :  1994   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :--------- 1,000 ---------  Percent ---------- 1,000 ----------  Percent 
       :                                                                        
Jan    :598,798  618,112  661,389    107    598,798   618,112   661,389   107   
Feb    :547,831  558,590  598,962    107  1,146,629 1,176,702 1,260,351   107   
Mar    :622,983  639,967  677,334    106  1,769,612 1,816,669 1,937,685   107   
Apr    :600,861  627,051  662,372    106  2,370,473 2,443,720 2,600,057   106   
May    :634,371  658,690  689,650    105  3,004,844 3,102,410 3,289,707   106   
Jun    :619,453  647,163  669,390    103  3,624,297 3,749,573 3,959,097   106   
Jul    :619,009  646,456  672,822    104  4,243,306 4,396,029 4,631,919   105   
Aug    :612,381  653,710  672,608    103  4,855,687 5,049,739 5,304,527   105   
Sep    :582,781  625,867  634,272    101  5,438,468 5,675,606 5,938,799   105   
Oct    :584,260  617,957  652,198    106  6,022,728 6,293,563 6,590,997   105   
Nov    :574,803  597,276  626,487    105  6,597,531 6,890,839 7,217,484   105   
Dec    :623,237  658,914  689,596    105  7,220,768 7,549,753 7,907,080   105   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
          Intended Placements:  Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery         
                  Supply Flocks by Month and Total, 1993-95 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1995  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-15 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1994  :-----------------------------------
         :  1993  :  1994  :  1995  :       :   1994    :   1995    :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : --------- 1,000 --------  Percent   ------------ 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
US       :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments   :                                                                      
Jan      :  5,664    5,989    5,748     96     48,072      52,785      54,597   
Feb      :  4,549    5,518    5,481     99     48,632      53,376      54,557   
Mar      :  5,678    6,301    6,161     98     49,491      53,923      55,202   
Apr      :  5,531    6,101    6,319    104     49,607      54,590      55,077   
May      :  5,944    6,266    6,135     98     49,456      54,943      55,342   
Jun      :  5,568    5,911    6,178    105     50,424      55,244      56,527   
Jul      :  5,967    6,104    6,302    103     50,415      55,356      56,389   
Aug      :  5,585    6,064    6,464    107     50,873      55,003               
Sep      :  5,121    6,336    6,288     99     50,447      54,218               
Oct      :  5,513    6,342    6,013     95     51,180      54,468               
Nov      :  5,517    5,819    6,666    115     51,314      54,684               
Dec      :  5,669    6,413    6,023     94     51,995      54,755               
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 66,306   73,164   73,778    101                                      
         :                                                                      
Total    :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments 3/:                                                                      
 Jan     :  7,098    7,168    7,038     98                                      
 Feb     :  5,664    6,829    7,176    105                                      
 Mar     :  6,909    7,544    7,577    100                                      
 Apr     :  6,420    7,234    7,835    108                                      
 May     :  7,182    7,394    7,873    106                                      
 Jun     :  6,723    7,153    7,485    105                                      
 Jul     :  7,114    7,146    7,730    108                                      
 Aug     :  6,587    7,290    7,838    108                                      
 Sep     :  6,177    7,545    7,730    102                                      
 Oct     :  6,634    7,959    7,301     92                                      
 Nov     :  6,718    7,251    7,816    108                                      
 Dec     :  6,949    7,908    7,612     96                                      
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 80,175   88,421   91,011    103                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/ Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes    
   expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the      
   rate of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.                         
                                                                                
2/ For Dec 1995, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Sep 1994 through May    
   1995.  Starting with the January 1996 publication the cumulative placements  
   will be 7-15 months earlier.                                                 
                                                                                
3/ U.S. production of intended placements worldwide.                            
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Procedures and Reliability                                  
                                                                                
Data Sources:  Primary data for the "Chickens and Eggs" report are from weekly  
               and/or monthly questionnaires sent to producers.  An attempt is  
made to collect information for layer and egg estimates from each known         
contractor and independent producer who has over 30,000 table egg layers.       
Coverage for operations with less than 30,000 table egg layers are estimated    
each month based on data reported in December.  Approximately 900 contractors,  
independent egg producers, and started pullet operations are contacted each     
month.  All known hatcheries, approximately 360, are contacted for information  
on a weekly and/or monthly basis.                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
Revisions:  The previous month's estimates are subject to revision if late      
            reports or corrected data indicates a different level.              
Additionally, revisions needed after the monthly report will be made at the     
end of the marketing year and published in the annual summaries of "Layers and  
Egg Production" and "Hatchery Production".                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
Procedures and Reliability:  Operations are mailed a questionnaire and given    
                             adequate time to respond by mail.  Those that do   
not respond are phoned.  Great care is exercised to ensure that all operations  
are accounted for during each survey period.  However, there are usually        
missing reports that must be accounted for in the estimates.                    
                                                                                
Sound statistical methodology is employed to derive estimates from the          
reported data.  All data are checked for unusual values.  All operations' data  
are compared to their own past operating profiles and also to trends from       
other operations.  Data for missing operations are estimated based on similar   
operations or historical data.  Survey data are subject to non-sampling errors  
such as omissions and mistakes in reporting and in processing.  While these     
errors cannot be measured directly, they are minimized by reviewing all data    
for consistency and reasonableness.                                             
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched are comprised of all chicks of egg-type domesticated    
breeds including males and chicks destined for hatchery supply flocks and       
research purposes.  The relationship of chicks hatched to chicken inventory     
and poultry marketings is carefully monitored.  The disposition of egg-type     
chicks hatched prior to placement into the laying flock can vary                
significantly, which can make comparisons to changes in layer inventory         
inconsistent over time.                                                         
                                                                                
Intended placement data reported by leading breeders include pullet chicks      
expected from eggs sold the preceding month.  The breeders in this report       
account for a large percentage of replacement pullets for hatchery supply       
flocks.  Production of replacement pullets by these breeders indicates the      
number of pullets available to hatchery egg supply flocks several months        
before the pullets will actually move into the flocks.  Beginning with the      
January 1996 publication the broiler-type cumulative potential placements will  
change from 7-14 months earlier to 7-15 months earlier.  The egg-type           
cumulative potential placements of 7-18 months represent the first laying       
cycle.  Molting and additional laying cycles will increase the cumulative       
potential placements of egg-type hatching flocks.                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
The next "Chickens and Eggs" report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on            
February 23, 1996.                                                              
                                                                                
                                                                                
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in  
its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,  
disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status.  Persons with    
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program         
information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA     
Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD).     
                                                                                
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington,      
D.C., 20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD).  USDA is   
an equal employment opportunity employer.                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
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