HDR1012000150021122961500Chickens and Eggs                                      
                                                                                
Released November 22, 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 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.  For assistance with general agricultural      
statistics, information about NASS, its products or services, contact the       
Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 or E-mail:                    
NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV.  Estimates refer to September , October and November 1996.  
The "Chickens and Eggs" U.S. Summary is available on Autofax, (202) 720-2000,   
report 4200.  See page 20.                                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                October Egg Production up 4 percent                             
                                                                                
U.S. egg production totaled 6.50 billion during October 1996, up 4 percent      
from the 6.26 billion produced in 1995.  Production included 5.55 billion       
table eggs and 957 million hatching eggs, of which 898 million were             
broiler-type and 59.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers        
during October 1996 averaged 300 million, up 2 percent from the average number  
of layers during October 1995.  October egg production per 100 layers was       
2,171 eggs, compared with 2,140 in October 1995.                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Pou 1-1 (11-96)                                                                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
All layers in the U.S. on November 1, 1996, totaled 300 million, up 2 percent   
from a year ago.  The 300 million layers consisted of 249 million layers        
producing table or commercial type eggs, 48.4 million layers producing          
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.54 million layers producing egg-type          
hatching eggs.  Rate of lay per day on November 1, 1996, averaged 70.2 eggs     
per 100 layers, up 1 percent from the 69.5 a year ago.                          
                                                                                
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 6.16 billion eggs  
during October, up 4 percent from October 1995.  The average number of layers   
during October, at 283 million, was up 3 percent 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 Down 1 Percent                            
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched during October totaled 33.2 million, down 1 percent     
from October 1995.  Eggs in incubators totaled 28.5 million on November 1,      
1996, up 2 percent from a year ago.                                             
                                                                                
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply        
flocks by leading breeders totaled 233,000 during October 1996, down            
25 percent from the 309,000 of October 1995.                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Broiler Hatch Down Slightly                                 
                                                                                
The October 1996 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 652 million, was down         
slightly from October of the previous year. There were 527 million eggs in      
incubators on November 1, 1996, up slightly from a year earlier.                
                                                                                
Leading breeders placed 6.22 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future      
domestic hatchery supply flocks during October 1996, up 3 percent from          
October 1995.                                                                   
                                                                                
                           For information call Tom Kruchten at (202) 690-4870  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Layers:  Average Number During the Month,                   
                            United States, 1993-96 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month  :      1993       :      1994      :      1995       :      1996       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                             1,000 Layers                             
         :                                                                      
Dec 2/   :     284,267          290,642           299,434           299,066     
Jan      :     284,398          290,041           299,084           299,513     
Feb      :     284,638          290,047           297,759           299,222     
Mar      :     284,405          290,719           296,796           299,066     
Apr      :     284,234          290,073           295,293           297,367     
May      :     283,694          288,784           292,548           295,133     
Jun      :     282,914          287,974           289,705           294,534     
Jul      :     283,324          287,990           287,557           295,914     
Aug      :     284,192          290,321           287,837           297,331     
Sep      :     285,418          293,381           290,021           298,151     
Oct      :     286,948          295,172           292,459           299,518     
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      6,411      5,417      5,433         952         978   
Feb        :   5,714      5,971      4,854      5,053         860         918   
Mar        :   6,448      6,513      5,492      5,523         956         990   
Apr        :   6,177      6,254      5,238      5,295         939         959   
May        :   6,251      6,351      5,271      5,354         980         997   
Jun        :   6,010      6,182      5,060      5,226         950         956   
Jul        :   6,145      6,450      5,179      5,468         966         982   
Aug        :   6,146      6,458      5,191      5,474         955         984   
Sep        :   5,990      6,243      5,063      5,305         927         938   
Oct        :   6,260      6,504      5,301      5,547         959         957   
Nov        :   6,232                 5,298                    934               
During Year:  74,258     69,871     62,932     59,237      11,326      10,634   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
                and Forced Molt, United States, September-October               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 1/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Sep              (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 290,021      298,151         103     
    Table Egg Type                       : 238,049      246,403         104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  51,972       51,748         100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,245       49,229         100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,727        2,519          92     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Sep (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :   2,065        2,094         101     
    Table Egg Type                       :   2,127        2,153         101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   1,784        1,813         102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   1,761        1,794         102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,200        2,183          99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Sep       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :   5,990        6,243         104     
    Table Egg Type                       :   5,063        5,305         105     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     927          938         101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     867          883         102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      60           55          92     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Oct 1                (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 290,889      298,801         103     
    Table Egg Type                       : 238,839      247,487         104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,050       51,314          99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,319       48,782          99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,731        2,532          93     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Oct 1   (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :      69.1         69.8       101     
    Table Egg Type                       :      71.2         71.7       101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      59.7         60.2       101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      58.8         59.5       101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      76.0         74.3        98     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Oct 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :       5.1          4.8        94     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :      23.3         23.0        99     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
            and Forced Molt, United States, October-November 1995-96            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 1/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Oct                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  292,459      299,518        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  240,384      248,381        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,075       51,137         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,387       48,593         98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,688        2,544         95     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Oct  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,140        2,171        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,205        2,233        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,842        1,871        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,818        1,848        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,269        2,319        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Oct       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,260        6,504        104     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,301        5,547        105     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      959          957        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      898          898        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       61           59         97     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Nov 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  294,486      300,190        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  242,405      249,252        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,081       50,938         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,445       48,394         98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,636        2,544         97     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Nov 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.5         70.2        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.7         72.2        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.2         60.5        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.4         59.7        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     74.1         75.1        101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Nov 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      3.6          3.0         83     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     24.2         23.9         99     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
             Molt, September-October, 30 Selected States, 1995-96 1/            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Sep                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  274,072      282,087        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :  225,565      233,822        104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,507       48,265        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   45,879       45,832        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,628        2,433         93     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Sep  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,071        2,097        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,133        2,154        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,779        1,817        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,757        1,796        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,169        2,219        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Sep       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,675        5,914        104     
    Table Egg Type                       :    4,812        5,037        105     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      863          877        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      806          823        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       57           54         95     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Oct 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  275,058      282,828        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :  226,366      234,948        104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,692       47,880         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,052       45,434         99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,640        2,446         93     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Oct 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.2         69.8        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.3         71.8        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.5         60.1        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.6         59.4        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.9         74.0         97     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Oct 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      5.1          4.8         94     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.4         23.1         99     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Sep           (1,000) :   14,224       14,594        103     
                                         :                                      
Layers Died, Destroyed, or               :                                      
Disappeared For Any Reason               :                                      
 During Sep                      (1,000) :    2,659        2,843        107     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Oct 1                   (1,000) :   68,962       69,671        101     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Sep         (1,000) :   19,236       20,110        105     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
             Molt, October-November, 30 Selected States, 1995-96 1/             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Oct                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  276,443      283,481        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :  227,774      235,807        104     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,669       47,674         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,072       45,219         98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,597        2,455         95     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Oct  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,142        2,173        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,207        2,234        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,837        1,869        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,812        1,844        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,272        2,322        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Oct       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,922        6,160        104     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,028        5,269        105     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      894          891        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      835          834        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       59           57         97     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Nov 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  278,298      284,100        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  229,668      236,649        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,630       47,451         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,085       44,997         98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,545        2,454         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Nov 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.6         70.2        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.8         72.2        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.0         60.4        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.2         59.6        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     73.9         74.9        101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Nov 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      3.6          3.0         83     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     24.3         24.1         99     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Oct           (1,000) :   14,605       15,645        107     
                                         :                                      
Layers Died, Destroyed, or               :                                      
 Disappeared For Any Reason              :                                      
 During Oct                      (1,000) :    2,512        2,887        115     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Nov 1                   (1,000) :   69,237       69,658        101     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Oct         (1,000) :   20,631       22,325        108     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                 and United States, During September 1995-96 1/                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1995    :    1996    :  1995  :  1996   :   1995    :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,600       4,135     11,533    10,481     1,882       1,918    
AR         :    5,716       4,890     15,738    14,520     1,849       1,860    
CA         :   24,083      25,017     24,638    25,571     2,102       2,088    
CO         :    2,563       2,686      3,099     3,248     2,130       2,094    
CT         :    3,453       3,497      3,623     3,626     2,181       2,151    
FL         :    8,388       8,204      9,043     8,799     2,123       2,228    
GA         :   10,222      10,628     17,878    18,441     1,974       2,028    
HI         :      720         700        770       724     1,914       1,989    
IL         :    2,607       3,059      2,805     3,251     2,103       2,338    
IN         :   19,446      20,654     20,266    21,752     2,151       2,193    
IA         :   15,597      19,100     16,480    19,967     1,966       2,179    
ME         :    4,741       5,014      4,882     5,139     2,315       2,316    
MD         :    3,315       3,689      3,744     4,125     2,324       2,061    
MI         :    4,905       4,655      5,177     4,885     2,091       2,121    
MN         :   10,073      11,315     10,908    12,155     2,072       2,123    
MS         :    2,253       2,115      6,111     6,556     1,865       1,952    
MO         :    5,780       5,683      6,709     6,663     2,027       2,146    
NE         :    8,625       8,916      8,775     9,066     2,154       2,088    
NY         :    3,636       3,212      3,960     3,495     2,247       2,260    
NC         :    6,143       5,473     13,848    12,607     1,863       1,896    
OH         :   21,697      23,954     22,081    24,436     2,228       2,185    
OK         :    1,995       1,860      3,765     3,793     1,939       1,951    
OR         :    2,413       2,475      2,619     2,675     2,138       2,280    
PA         :   19,255      19,245     20,540    20,493     2,157       2,181    
SC         :    3,713       3,655      4,748     4,718     2,148       2,183    
SD         :    1,560       1,895      1,803     2,110     2,295       2,211    
TX         :   13,035      12,903     16,451    16,361     2,049       1,913    
VA         :    1,626       1,919      3,690     3,898     2,060       2,129    
WA         :    4,994       4,811      5,238     5,045     2,253       2,240    
WI         :    2,626       2,999      3,150     3,487     2,127       2,065    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  219,780     228,358    274,072   282,087     2,071       2,097    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,160      11,250     15,949    16,064     1,975       2,042    
           :                                                                    
US         :  230,940     239,608    290,021   298,151     2,065       2,094    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 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 October 1995-96 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1995    :    1996    :  1995  :  1996   :   1995    :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,530       4,091     11,403    10,323     2,008       2,044    
AR         :    5,585       5,005     15,640    14,713     1,912       1,917    
CA         :   24,794      25,301     25,348    25,841     2,174       2,198    
CO         :    2,647       2,745      3,164     3,275     2,118       2,168    
CT         :    3,364       3,455      3,534     3,581     2,264       2,262    
FL         :    8,381       8,130      9,039     8,762     2,179       2,214    
GA         :   10,674      10,847     18,539    18,539     2,028       2,087    
HI         :      726         701        776       725     1,969       2,089    
IL         :    2,532       3,100      2,731     3,291     2,197       2,400    
IN         :   19,528      20,517     20,355    21,597     2,221       2,278    
IA         :   15,909      19,212     16,776    20,079     2,051       2,226    
ME         :    4,771       5,165      4,917     5,290     2,400       2,382    
MD         :    3,427       3,691      3,851     4,132     2,337       2,275    
MI         :    4,960       4,654      5,236     4,891     2,093       2,288    
MN         :   10,145      11,370     10,980    12,203     2,140       2,163    
MS         :    2,240       2,143      6,099     6,534     1,968       2,020    
MO         :    5,875       5,588      6,822     6,611     2,125       2,178    
NE         :    8,700       8,941      8,850     9,091     2,176       2,155    
NY         :    3,642       3,183      3,964     3,467     2,346       2,365    
NC         :    6,081       5,461     13,795    12,298     1,935       1,935    
OH         :   21,754      24,730     22,148    25,214     2,298       2,249    
OK         :    2,023       1,858      3,788     3,753     2,033       1,998    
OR         :    2,421       2,520      2,627     2,720     2,170       2,279    
PA         :   19,640      19,490     20,946    20,766     2,258       2,268    
SC         :    3,827       3,637      4,851     4,705     2,206       2,274    
SD         :    1,503       1,878      1,738     2,090     2,362       2,238    
TX         :   13,043      13,137     16,396    16,500     2,141       2,097    
VA         :    1,645       1,940      3,757     3,891     2,050       2,030    
WA         :    4,988       4,881      5,230     5,122     2,294       2,284    
WI         :    2,619       2,968      3,143     3,477     2,195       2,128    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  221,974     230,339    276,443   283,481     2,142       2,173    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,294      11,256     16,016    16,037     2,104       2,145    
           :                                                                    
US         :  233,268     241,595    292,459   299,518     2,140       2,171    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 preliminary.                                                           
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,              
                              September 1995-96 1/                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    217        201         97         89       120       112    
AR             :    291        270        117        100       174       170    
CA             :    518        534                                              
CO             :     66         68                                              
CT             :     79         78                                              
FL             :    192        196        181        184        11        12    
GA             :    353        374        211        226       142       148    
HI             :     14         14         14         14         0         0    
IL             :     59         76         58         75         1         1    
IN             :    436        477        427        468         9         9    
IA             :    324        435                                              
ME             :    113        119                                              
MD             :     87         85         81         79         6         6    
MI             :    108        104                                              
MN             :    226        258        217        247         9        11    
MS             :    114        128         47         48        67        80    
MO             :    136        143                                              
NE             :    189        189        189        189         0         0    
NY             :     89         79                                              
NC             :    258        239        133        120       125       119    
OH             :    492        534                                              
OK             :     73         74         46         44        27        30    
OR             :     56         61         54         59         2         2    
PA             :    443        447        428        433        15        14    
SC             :    102        103         84         85        18        18    
SD             :     41         47         41         47         0         0    
TX             :    337        313        288        256        49        57    
VA             :     76         83         39         44        37        39    
WA             :    118        113                                              
WI             :     67         72                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,675      5,914      4,812      5,037       863       877    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    315        329        251        268        64        61    
               :                                                                
US             :  5,990      6,243      5,063      5,305       927       938    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 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,              
                               October 1995-96 1/                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    229        211        104         97       125       114    
AR             :    299        282        119        106       180       176    
CA             :    551        568                                              
CO             :     67         71                                              
CT             :     80         81                                              
FL             :    197        194        186        181        11        13    
GA             :    376        387        229        237       147       150    
HI             :     15         15         15         15         0         0    
IL             :     60         79         59         78         1         1    
IN             :    452        492        442        483        10         9    
IA             :    344        447                                              
ME             :    118        126                                              
MD             :     90         94         84         87         6         7    
MI             :    110        112                                              
MN             :    235        264        226        253         9        11    
MS             :    120        132         48         49        72        83    
MO             :    145        144                                              
NE             :    193        196        193        196         0         0    
NY             :     93         82                                              
NC             :    267        238        140        121       127       117    
OH             :    509        567                                              
OK             :     77         75         49         45        28        30    
OR             :     57         62         55         60         2         2    
PA             :    473        471        458        456        15        15    
SC             :    107        107         88         88        19        19    
SD             :     41         47         41         47         0         0    
TX             :    351        346        300        288        51        58    
VA             :     77         79         40         45        37        34    
WA             :    120        117                                              
WI             :     69         74                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,922      6,160      5,028      5,269       894       891    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    338        344        273        278        65        66    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,260      6,504      5,301      5,547       959       957    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 preliminary.                                                           
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               5.5              23.7              22.4       
Mar     :       4.8               3.5              24.1              23.4       
Apr     :       3.4               2.0              23.8              22.9       
May     :       5.7               5.5              22.4              22.2       
Jun     :       6.0               4.7              23.0              22.3       
Jul     :       4.9               4.0              23.4              22.9       
Aug     :       4.1               4.6              23.4              22.0       
Sep     :       4.6               4.3              23.3              22.4       
Oct     :       5.1               4.8              23.3              23.0       
Nov     :       3.6               3.0              24.2              23.9       
Dec     :       2.2                                25.5                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State                  
                     and United States, November 1995-96 1/                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1995       :      1996       :      1995      :      1996      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       3.0                .5              13.0             15.0      
AR        :       1.5               1.0              13.0             12.5      
CA        :       8.0               5.5              43.5             42.0      
CO        :       9.0               4.0              22.5             25.5      
CT        :       1.0                .5              17.0             13.0      
FL        :       7.5               6.0              43.5             36.0      
GA        :       3.0               4.5              21.0             25.0      
HI        :       8.5               5.0              51.0             54.0      
IL        :       7.0               5.0              46.5             20.0      
IN        :       3.0                .5              28.0             20.5      
IA        :       1.0               3.0              33.0             34.5      
ME        :        .0                .5               1.0              1.5      
MD        :       7.0               4.0              37.0             39.5      
MI        :       3.5               2.5              20.0             19.5      
MN        :       2.5               4.0              35.0             33.5      
MS        :       1.0               2.0              17.5             14.5      
MO        :       1.0                .5              26.0             22.5      
NE        :       8.5               5.0              23.0             29.5      
NY        :       1.0               1.0               4.5              5.5      
NC        :       2.0               2.5              14.5             14.0      
OH        :       3.5               2.5              12.5             12.0      
OK        :       1.5               2.5              12.0             15.0      
OR        :       1.0              12.0              52.0             29.0      
PA        :       1.5               2.5              20.0             22.0      
SC        :       5.5               3.5              26.5             27.5      
SD        :      16.5               4.5              16.0             56.5      
TX        :       4.0               2.0              22.0             24.0      
VA        :       2.0               2.5              14.0             10.0      
WA        :       7.0               7.5              42.0             40.5      
WI        :       4.0               3.5              26.0             26.0      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       3.6               3.0              24.3             24.1      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       3.0               3.4              22.1             21.2      
          :                                                                     
US        :       3.6               3.0              24.2             23.9      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, October-November 1995-96        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Nov 1            :    27,845       28,535       102     
  Chicks Hatched During Oct              :    33,384       33,176        99     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Oct            :   336,541      343,348       102     
  Pullets Hatched During Oct for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       309          233        75     
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :     3,232        2,824        87     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Nov 1            :   525,505      526,525       100     
  Chicks Hatched During Oct              :   654,221      651,791       100     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Oct            : 6,609,552    6,731,064       102     
  Pullets Hatched During Oct for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,013        6,221       103     
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    54,433       55,781       102     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 includes pullet chicks hatched Apr 1995 through Mar 1996.              
2/  1996 includes pullet chicks hatched Jul 1995 through Mar 1996.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                               November 1, 1995-96                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                Geographic               :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    3,689        4,844        131     
E North Central                          :    7,334        7,690        105     
W North Central                          :    5,747        5,725        100     
South Atlantic                           :    4,516        3,986         88     
South Central                            :    3,126        2,290         73     
West                                     :    3,433        4,000        117     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   27,845       28,535        102     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
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,             
                                 October 1995-96                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            October             :             Jan-Oct             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
             :   1995   :   1996   : as % of  :   1995   :   1996    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :     873        585       67       10,590       8,771       83    
FL           :   1,118      1,536      137       10,549      11,457      109    
GA           :   1,837      1,912      104       18,028      20,691      115    
IN           :   6,859      6,886      100       69,459      72,230      104    
IA           :   4,053      2,766       68       35,439      32,757       92    
KS           :     232        201       87        2,699       2,579       96    
MN           :   2,134      1,984       93       21,813      20,456       94    
MO           :     324        351      108        4,485       3,474       77    
PA           :   3,128      3,728      119       33,609      40,906      122    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  12,826     13,227      103      129,870     130,027      100    
             :                                                                  
US           :  33,384     33,176       99      336,541     343,348      102    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1994-96           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      :            By Months             :              Cumulative              
      :-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month:        :        :        : 1996  :          :         :        :  1996  
      :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :as % of:   1994   :  1995   :  1996  :as % of 
      :        :        :        : 1995  :          :         :        :  1995  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      : --------- 1,000 --------  Percent  ---------- 1,000 ----------  Percent 
      :                                                                         
Jan   : 33,236   32,375   31,547     97     33,236     32,375   31,547     97   
Feb   : 31,086   32,745   34,652    106     64,322     65,120   66,199    102   
Mar   : 33,489   36,021   37,687    105     97,811    101,141  103,886    103   
Apr   : 35,657   35,020   35,553    102    133,468    136,161  139,439    102   
May   : 35,322   37,482   38,477    103    168,790    173,643  177,916    102   
Jun   : 31,985   34,948   33,998     97    200,775    208,591  211,914    102   
Jul   : 29,613   29,554   33,828    114    230,388    238,145  245,742    103   
Aug   : 31,295   31,434   32,474    103    261,683    269,579  278,216    103   
Sep   : 31,587   33,578   31,956     95    293,270    303,157  310,172    102   
Oct   : 32,066   33,384   33,176     99    325,336    336,541  343,348    102   
Nov   : 26,075   29,130                    351,411    365,671                   
Dec   : 30,166   30,797                    381,577    396,468                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
        Intended Placements:  Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply        
              Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1994-96 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1996  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-18 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1995  :-----------------------------------
         :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :       :   1995    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 -------    Percent    ----------- 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
Jan      :   213      236     171       72      3,022       3,108       2,905   
Feb      :   184      251     238       95      3,009       3,089       2,929   
Mar      :   259      356     317       89      3,075       2,943       2,938   
Apr      :   277      317     252       79      3,106       2,920       2,877   
May      :   334      193     291      151      3,119       2,951       2,801   
Jun      :   257      234     282      121      3,187       2,835               
Jul      :   254      235     259      110      3,045       2,941               
Aug      :   309      163     172      106      3,068       2,876               
Sep      :   315      292     231       79      3,135       2,863               
Oct      :   278      309     233       75      3,232       2,824               
Nov      :   240      124                       3,272       2,759               
Dec      :   125      231                       3,131       2,857               
         :                                                                      
Total    : 3,045    2,941                                                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 October 1996, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Apr 1995 through   
    Mar 1996.  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, November 1, 1995-96                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1996        
     Geographic    :       1995        :       1996        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1995        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       11,543              11,097                96         
E North Central    :        7,126               6,969                98         
W North Central    :       19,270              19,387               101         
South Atlantic     :      209,663             206,733                99         
South Central      :      256,325             259,772               101         
West               :       21,578              22,567               105         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      525,505             526,525               100         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                       and United States, October 1995-96                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            October             :             Jan-Oct             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
             :   1995   :   1996   : as % of  :   1995   :   1996    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  84,950     85,034      100       903,349     856,220      95    
AR           : 104,424    102,951       99     1,032,110   1,045,918     101    
DE           :  15,963     15,591       98       166,413     160,972      97    
FL           :  10,241      9,840       96       101,258     101,436     100    
GA           :  98,824     98,430      100       959,633   1,015,079     106    
MD           :  31,077     28,387       91       312,160     307,631      99    
MS           :  52,641     57,890      110       538,154     570,197     106    
NC           :  60,874     57,277       94       624,601     618,969      99    
PA           :  11,295     11,404      101       111,911     116,373     104    
SC           :  15,487     15,370       99       153,519     152,251      99    
TX           :  39,371     40,464      103       390,579     410,472     105    
VA           :  23,075     22,238       96       235,980     231,759      98    
CA TN & WV   :  32,589     31,059       95       339,222     337,610     100    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 580,811    575,935       99     5,868,889   5,924,887     101    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   4,772      5,042      106        55,777      55,601     100    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  68,638     70,814      103       684,886     750,576     110    
             :                                                                  
US           : 654,221    651,791      100     6,609,552   6,731,064     102    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, 1994-96           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :            By Months             :             Cumulative              
       :------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month :        :        :        : 1996  :        :         :         :  1996  
       :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :as % of:  1994  :  1995   :  1996   :as % of 
       :        :        :        : 1995  :        :         :         :  1995  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :--------- 1,000 ---------  Percent----------- 1,000 ----------- Percent 
       :                                                                        
Jan    :618,111  662,476  686,359    104    618,111   662,476   686,359   104   
Feb    :558,589  600,116  646,085    108  1,176,700 1,262,592 1,332,444   106   
Mar    :640,316  679,090  689,719    102  1,817,016 1,941,682 2,022,163   104   
Apr    :627,050  664,150  665,443    100  2,444,066 2,605,832 2,687,606   103   
May    :658,689  692,004  698,176    101  3,102,755 3,297,836 3,385,782   103   
Jun    :647,342  670,839  670,593    100  3,750,097 3,968,675 4,056,375   102   
Jul    :646,875  673,687  677,611    101  4,396,972 4,642,362 4,733,986   102   
Aug    :654,309  674,068  688,591    102  5,051,281 5,316,430 5,422,577   102   
Sep    :626,706  638,901  656,696    103  5,677,987 5,955,331 6,079,273   102   
Oct    :620,679  654,221  651,791    100  6,298,666 6,609,552 6,731,064   102   
Nov    :600,055  627,767                  6,898,721 7,237,319                   
Dec    :663,595  691,193                  7,562,316 7,928,512                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
          Intended Placements:  Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery         
                  Supply Flocks by Month and Total, 1994-96 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1996  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-15 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1995  :-----------------------------------
         :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :       :   1995    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 --------   Percent   ------------ 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
US       :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments   :                                                                      
Jan      :  5,988    5,710   5,538      97     53,071      54,562      56,103   
Feb      :  5,452    5,484   5,916     108     53,563      54,522      56,512   
Mar      :  6,334    6,161   6,374     103     53,808      55,178      56,374   
Apr      :  6,121    6,320   6,442     102     54,576      55,053      56,322   
May      :  6,266    6,135   6,776     110     54,930      55,356      57,004   
Jun      :  5,911    6,178   6,169     100     55,297      56,528               
Jul      :  6,104    6,302   6,422     102     55,376      56,585               
Aug      :  6,064    6,475   6,518     101     54,965      55,803               
Sep      :  6,336    6,288   6,166      98     54,183      55,584               
Oct      :  6,342    6,013   6,221     103     54,433      55,781               
Nov      :  5,819    6,656                     54,649      55,921               
Dec      :  6,413    6,218                     54,720      56,222               
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 73,150   73,940                                                      
         :                                                                      
Total    :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments3/ :                                                                      
Jan      :  7,171    7,040   6,782      96                                      
Feb      :  6,762    7,180   7,167     100                                      
Mar      :  7,464    7,577   7,645     101                                      
Apr      :  7,284    7,835   7,664      98                                      
May      :  7,394    7,873   8,234     105                                      
Jun      :  7,382    7,485   7,467     100                                      
Jul      :  7,146    7,730   7,923     102                                      
Aug      :  7,290    7,850   8,128     104                                      
Sep      :  7,545    7,730   7,771     101                                      
Oct      :  7,959    7,301   7,892     108                                      
Nov      :  7,251    7,784                                                      
Dec      :  7,908    7,750                                                      
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 88,556   91,135                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Oct 1996, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Jul 1995 through Mar   
    1996.                                                                       
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 went  
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 3:00 p.m. ET on         
December 20, 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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          USDA Announces Agricultural Outlook Forum  97                         
                    February 24 and 25, 1997                                    
              Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C.                             
                                                                                
An era of freer markets under the 1996 Farm Bill has begun. For an expert       
assessment of the impact, attend the Outlook Forum.  Top speakers will discuss  
the 1997 farm outlook, prospects to 2005, risk management, concentration        
issues, market stability, world food security, marketing                        
high-valued exports and more.  Plan now to attend.  For program and             
registration details, check Forum home page, call (202) 720-3050 or dial (202)  
219-0296 from your fax machine and request document 66666.  Send e-mail to      
agforum@oce.usda.gov.                                                           
                                                                                
Get news from the Forum.  Can't attend? After the Forum, download speeches      
from the Internet. Or, call 1-800-999-6779 to place an advance order for the    
printed proceedings (YCON-97) or new long term projections to 2005              
(WAOB-97-1).                                                                    
                                                                                
  Ag Forum home page:  http://www.usda.gov/oce/waob/agforum.htm                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                          Agricultural                                          
                             Outlook                                            
                            Forum  97