HDR1012000150020131971500Chickens and Eggs                                      
                                                                                
Released January 31, 1997, 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 November 1996, December 1996 and January 1997.               
The "Chickens and Eggs" U.S. Summary is available on Autofax, (202) 720-2000,   
report 4200.  See page 20.                                                      
                                                                                
               December Egg Production up 2 percent                             
                                                                                
U.S. egg production totaled 6.68 billion during December 1996, up 2 percent     
from the 6.52 billion produced in 1995.  Production included 5.69 billion       
table eggs and 983 million hatching eggs, of which 923 million were             
broiler-type and 60.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers during 
December 1996 averaged 304 million, up 2 percent from the average number of     
layers during December 1995.  December egg production per 100 layers was        
2,198 eggs, compared with 2,183 in December 1995.                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Pou 1-1 (1-97)                                                                  
All layers in the U.S. on January 1, 1997, totaled 304 million, up 2 percent    
from a year ago.  The 304 million layers consisted of 250 million layers        
producing table or commercial type eggs, 50.9 million layers producing          
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.66 million layers producing egg-type          
hatching eggs.  Rate of lay per day on January 1, 1997, averaged 70.5 eggs per  
100 layers, up 1 percent from the 69.9 a year ago.                              
                                                                                
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 6.33 billion eggs  
during December, up 3 percent from December 1995.  The average number of        
layers during December, at 288 million, was  up 2 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 Up 8 Percent                             
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched during December 1996 totaled 33.2 million, up 8         
percent from December 1995.  Eggs in incubators totaled 30.2 million on         
January 1, 1997, up 6 percent from a year ago.                                  
                                                                                
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply        
flocks by leading breeders totaled 215,000 during December 1996, down 7         
percent from the 231,000 of December 1995.                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Broiler Hatch Up 1 Percent                                  
                                                                                
The December 1996 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 695 million, was up          
1 percent  from  December of the previous year. There were 583 million eggs in  
incubators on January 1, 1997, up 2 percent from a year earlier.                
                                                                                
Leading breeders placed 5.95 million  broiler-type pullet chicks for future     
domestic hatchery supply flocks during December 1996, down 4 percent from       
December 1995.                                                                  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                           For information call Tom Kruchten at (202) 690-4870  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Layers:  Average Number During the Month,                   
                            United States, 1994-97 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month  :      1994       :      1995      :      1996       :      1997       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                             1,000 Layers                             
         :                                                                      
Dec 2/   :     290,642          299,160           298,861           303,685     
Jan      :     290,041          298,367           298,814                       
Feb      :     290,047          297,293           298,357                       
Mar      :     290,719          296,561           298,209                       
Apr      :     290,073          295,464           296,605                       
May      :     288,784          293,198           294,458                       
Jun      :     287,974          290,313           293,915                       
Jul      :     287,990          288,213           295,349                       
Aug      :     290,321          288,359           296,785                       
Sep      :     293,381          290,337           297,696                       
Oct      :     295,172          292,516           299,196                       
Nov      :     297,134          296,724           301,604                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Data are for chart on cover page.                                           
2/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Eggs:  Production During the Month by Type,                  
                             United States, 1996-97                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :     Total Eggs      :      Table Eggs      :     Hatching Eggs     
   Month   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                            Million Eggs                            
           :                                                                    
Dec 1/     :   6,523     6,676       5,548      5,693         975        983    
Jan        :   6,398                 5,420                    978               
Feb        :   5,954                 5,036                    918               
Mar        :   6,495                 5,505                    990               
Apr        :   6,243                 5,284                    959               
May        :   6,340                 5,341                    999               
Jun        :   6,169                 5,209                    960               
Jul        :   6,440                 5,457                    983               
Aug        :   6,447                 5,465                    982               
Sep        :   6,235                 5,297                    938               
Oct        :   6,495                 5,539                    956               
Nov        :   6,409                 5,471                    938               
During Year:  76,148     6,676      64,572      5,693      11,576        983    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
          and Forced Molt, United States, November-December 1995-96 1/          
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Nov              (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 296,724      301,604         102     
    Table Egg Type                       : 244,177      249,823         102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,547       51,781          99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,971       49,235          99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,576        2,546          99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Nov (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :   2,108        2,125         101     
    Table Egg Type                       :   2,180        2,190         100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   1,774        1,811         102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   1,755        1,785         102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,135        2,317         109     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Nov       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :   6,256        6,409         102     
    Table Egg Type                       :   5,324        5,471         103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     932          938         101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     877          879         100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      55           59         107     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Dec 1                (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 298,753      303,248         102     
    Table Egg Type                       : 245,761      250,645         102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,992       52,603          99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  50,487       50,070          99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,505        2,533         101     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Dec 1   (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :      71.0         71.3       100     
    Table Egg Type                       :      73.6         73.6       100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      59.1         60.3       102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      58.4         59.4       102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      73.3         77.5       106     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers on Dec 1              :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :       2.2          2.1        95     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :      25.4         23.5        93     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
            and Forced Molt, United States, December-January 1995-97            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :  1995 1/   :  1996 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Dec                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  298,861      303,685        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  245,806      250,570        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   53,055       53,115        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   50,519       50,509        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,536        2,606        103     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Dec  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,183        2,198        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,257        2,272        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,838        1,851        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,819        1,827        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,208        2,302        104     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Dec       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,523        6,676        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,548        5,693        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      975          983        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      919          923        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       56           60        107     
                                         :--------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                                         :  1996 1/   :  1997 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                                         :--------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers on Jan 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  299,261      304,071        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  246,166      250,473        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   53,095       53,598        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   50,538       50,935        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,557        2,663        104     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jan 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.9         70.5        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     72.2         72.9        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.3         59.5        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.4         58.6        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.5         75.5        100     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers on Jan 1              :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      3.7          3.8        103     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     24.3         22.3         92     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
           Molt, November-December, 30 Selected States, 1995-96 1/ 2/           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Nov                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  280,590      285,544        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  231,550      237,220        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,040       48,324         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,555       45,873         99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,485        2,451         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Nov  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,109        2,124        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,181        2,188        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,770        1,809        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,751        1,783        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,133        2,285        107     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Nov       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,917        6,065        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,049        5,191        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      868          874        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      815          818        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       53           56        106     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Dec 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,686      287,158        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  233,254      237,979        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,432       49,179         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   47,017       46,745         99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,415        2,434        101     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Dec 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     71.0         71.3        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :     73.5         73.6        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.0         60.2        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.3         59.3        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     73.1         77.4        106     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers on Dec 1              :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      2.3          2.1         91     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     25.6         23.5         92     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Nov           (1,000) :   13,759       14,002        102     
                                         :                                      
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed, or     :                                      
Disappeared For Any Reason               :                                      
 During Nov                      (1,000) :    2,490        2,604        105     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Dec 1                   (1,000) :   73,956       71,667         97     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Nov         (1,000) :   21,627       20,862         96     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, 30 Selected States, December-January 1995-97 1/        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :  1995 2/   :  1996 3/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Dec                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,680      287,726        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  233,162      238,121        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,518       49,605        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   47,070       47,109        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,448        2,496        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Dec  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,182        2,198        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,256        2,271        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,834        1,851        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,814        1,826        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,206        2,324        105     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Dec       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,167        6,325        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,259        5,407        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      908          918        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      854          860        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       54           58        107     
                                         :--------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                                         :  1996 2/   :  1997 3/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                                         :--------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers on Jan 1                          :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,981      288,253        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  233,394      238,247        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,587       50,006        101     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   47,114       47,462        101     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,473        2,544        103     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jan 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.9         70.5        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     72.2         72.8        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.3         59.5        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.4         58.6        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     75.5         76.1        101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers on Jan 1              :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      3.7          3.8        103     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     24.4         22.4         92     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Dec           (1,000) :   14,363       12,703         88     
                                         :                                      
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed, or     :                                      
  Disappeared For Any Reason             :                                      
  During Dec                     (1,000) :    2,489        2,962        119     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Jan 1                   (1,000) :   72,071       70,949         98     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Dec 4/      (1,000) :   18,557       16,981         92     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
3/  Preliminary.                                                                
4/  1995 pullets added less than 20 weeks old.  1996 is pullet chicks one day   
    old added to pullet flocks.                                                 
                                                                                
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                  and United States, During November 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         :    4,538       4,110     11,307    10,364     1,946       1,959    
AR         :    5,627       4,923     15,797    14,628     1,829       1,907    
CA         :   25,080      25,783     25,636    26,331     2,142       2,176    
CO         :    2,589       2,742      3,123     3,299     2,081       2,092    
CT         :    3,380       3,469      3,542     3,600     2,202       2,222    
FL         :    8,757       8,213      9,420     8,878     2,091       2,095    
GA         :   10,947      11,073     18,958    19,016     1,999       2,040    
HI         :      731         711        780       736     1,923       2,049    
IL         :    2,729       3,109      2,928     3,303     2,220       2,331    
IN         :   19,849      19,821     20,787    20,774     2,179       2,258    
IA         :   17,089      19,424     17,953    20,310     2,156       2,142    
ME         :    4,761       5,140      4,881     5,256     2,336       2,359    
MD         :    3,262       3,094      3,696     3,557     2,246       2,249    
MI         :    5,070       4,727      5,345     4,971     2,127       2,280    
MN         :   10,323      11,233     11,176    12,051     2,130       2,058    
MS         :    2,272       2,142      6,142     6,617     1,954       1,889    
MO         :    5,850       5,435      6,905     6,518     2,085       2,148    
NE         :    8,858       9,154      9,008     9,304     2,076       2,154    
NY         :    3,699       3,261      4,020     3,547     2,289       2,255    
NC         :    6,170       5,512     13,861    12,452     1,876       1,887    
OH         :   21,840      25,488     22,290    25,986     2,239       2,186    
OK         :    1,998       1,800      3,843     3,730     1,978       1,903    
OR         :    2,332       2,546      2,520     2,741     2,381       2,189    
PA         :   20,165      19,905     21,488    21,170     2,252       2,239    
SC         :    3,792       3,734      4,809     4,763     2,163       2,225    
SD         :    1,825       1,840      2,048     2,048     2,259       2,175    
TX         :   12,843      13,366     16,061    16,707     2,092       2,101    
VA         :    1,729       2,016      3,806     4,026     1,971       1,937    
WA         :    4,977       4,864      5,203     5,177     2,229       2,221    
WI         :    2,740       3,112      3,257     3,684     2,211       2,117    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  225,822     231,747    280,590   285,544     2,109       2,124    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,306      11,436     16,134    16,060     2,101       2,142    
           :                                                                    
US         :  237,128     243,183    296,724   301,604     2,108       2,125    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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         :    4,473       4,178     11,252    10,703     1,964       1,999    
AR         :    5,550       4,763     15,839    14,597     1,900       1,952    
CA         :   25,113      25,828     25,670    26,421     2,236       2,271    
CO         :    2,599       2,777      3,185     3,367     2,166       2,138    
CT         :    3,366       3,386      3,518     3,526     2,274       2,297    
FL         :    8,929       8,339      9,612     9,057     2,216       2,197    
GA         :   10,874      11,177     18,844    19,370     2,091       2,096    
HI         :      734         709        782       734     2,009       2,117    
IL         :    3,048       3,115      3,248     3,292     2,278       2,369    
IN         :   20,264      19,781     21,329    20,607     2,246       2,295    
IA         :   17,624      19,723     18,494    20,656     2,174       2,203    
ME         :    4,789       5,074      4,882     5,176     2,438       2,415    
MD         :    3,101       2,963      3,552     3,436     2,280       2,299    
MI         :    5,105       4,774      5,375     5,016     2,142       2,288    
MN         :   10,623      11,088     11,453    11,893     2,226       2,144    
MS         :    2,331       2,135      6,257     6,731     2,030       1,917    
MO         :    5,805       5,433      6,951     6,573     2,144       2,236    
NE         :    9,025       9,218      9,175     9,368     2,148       2,285    
NY         :    3,710       3,253      4,019     3,479     2,364       2,357    
NC         :    6,105       5,407     13,772    12,702     1,939       1,952    
OH         :   22,339      25,782     22,826    26,294     2,335       2,309    
OK         :    1,965       1,735      3,900     3,723     2,051       2,015    
OR         :    2,367       2,541      2,539     2,726     2,363       2,238    
PA         :   20,075      20,210     21,415    21,451     2,344       2,340    
SC         :    3,683       3,881      4,678     4,888     2,266       2,209    
SD         :    1,568       1,820      1,778     2,025     2,285       2,244    
TX         :   12,916      13,353     16,018    16,825     2,160       2,169    
VA         :    1,725       2,380      3,819     4,111     2,016       2,019    
WA         :    5,017       4,844      5,236     5,230     2,273       2,333    
WI         :    2,752       3,124      3,262     3,749     2,299       2,241    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  227,575     232,791    282,680   287,726     2,182       2,198    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,321      11,360     16,181    15,959     2,200       2,199    
           :                                                                    
US         :  238,896     244,151    298,861   303,685     2,183       2,198    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 preliminary, 1995 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 1995-96 1/                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    220        203        103         94       117       109    
AR             :    289        279        115        104       174       175    
CA             :    549        573                                              
CO             :     65         69                                              
CT             :     78         80                                              
FL             :    197        186        186        173        11        13    
GA             :    379        388        233        240       146       148    
HI             :     15         15         15         15         0         0    
IL             :     65         77         64         76         1         1    
IN             :    453        469        444        460         9         9    
IA             :    387        435                                              
ME             :    114        124                                              
MD             :     83         80         76         73         7         7    
MI             :    114        113                                              
MN             :    238        248        229        238         9        10    
MS             :    120        125         50         45        70        80    
MO             :    144        140                                              
NE             :    187        200        187        200         0         0    
NY             :     92         80                                              
NC             :    260        235        138        120       122       115    
OH             :    499        568                                              
OK             :     76         71         48         42        28        29    
OR             :     60         60         58         58         2         2    
PA             :    484        474        469        459        15        15    
SC             :    104        106         85         88        19        18    
SD             :     46         45         46         45         0         0    
TX             :    336        351        285        295        51        56    
VA             :     75         78         39         43        36        35    
WA             :    116        115                                              
WI             :     72         78                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,917      6,065      5,049      5,191       868       874    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    339        344        275        280        64        64    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,256      6,409      5,324      5,471       932       938    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 1995-96 1/                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    221        214         99         98       122       116    
AR             :    301        285        119        101       182       184    
CA             :    574        600                                              
CO             :     69         72                                              
CT             :     80         81                                              
FL             :    213        199        201        185        12        14    
GA             :    394        406        242        251       152       155    
HI             :     16         16         16         16         0         0    
IL             :     74         78         73         77         1         1    
IN             :    479        473        470        464         9         9    
IA             :    402        455                                              
ME             :    119        125                                              
MD             :     81         79         73         71         8         8    
MI             :    115        115                                              
MN             :    255        255        246        245         9        10    
MS             :    127        129         55         45        72        84    
MO             :    149        147                                              
NE             :    197        214        197        214         0         0    
NY             :     95         82                                              
NC             :    267        248        138        124       129       124    
OH             :    533        607                                              
OK             :     80         75         49         43        31        32    
OR             :     60         61         59         59         1         2    
PA             :    502        502        485        487        17        15    
SC             :    106        108         87         90        19        18    
SD             :     41         45         41         45         0         0    
TX             :    346        365                                              
VA             :     77         83         40         50        37        33    
WA             :    119        122                                              
WI             :     75         84                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  6,167      6,325      5,259      5,407       908       918    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    356        351        289        286        67        65    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,523      6,676      5,548      5,693       975       983    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 preliminary, 1955 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, 1996-97 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :       Percent Being Molted        :    Percent with Molt Completed    
  Month :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
        :      1996       :      1997       :      1996       :      1997       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                                Percent                                
        :                                                                       
Jan     :       3.7               3.8              24.3              22.3       
Feb     :       5.4                                22.3                         
Mar     :       3.5                                23.3                         
Apr     :       1.9                                22.9                         
May     :       5.4                                22.2                         
Jun     :       4.7                                22.2                         
Jul     :       4.0                                22.9                         
Aug     :       4.7                                22.0                         
Sep     :       4.3                                22.3                         
Oct     :       4.8                                23.0                         
Nov     :       3.1                                23.9                         
Dec     :       2.1                                23.5                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State                  
                      and United States, January 1996-97 1/                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1996       :      1997       :      1996      :      1997      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       3.5               3.5              12.0             17.5      
AR        :       2.5               2.5              11.0              9.0      
CA        :       6.0               5.5              50.0             37.5      
CO        :       3.5               3.5              21.0             28.5      
CT        :       2.5               2.0              12.0             11.5      
FL        :       4.0               5.5              38.0             36.0      
GA        :       2.0               6.0              20.0             22.5      
HI        :       7.0               8.0              48.0             53.5      
IL        :       6.0               2.5              39.0              8.5      
IN        :       4.5               3.5              25.5             21.5      
IA        :       2.5               7.5              28.5             30.5      
ME        :        .0                .0                .5              3.0      
MD        :       1.5                .0              40.0             27.0      
MI        :       5.0               1.5              24.0             17.0      
MN        :       4.0               2.5              34.5             31.0      
MS        :       1.0               2.0              14.5             15.0      
MO        :       1.0               4.0              26.0             15.5      
NE        :      10.0               6.5              29.0             28.0      
NY        :        .0               1.0               6.0              6.0      
NC        :       2.0               1.5              11.5             12.5      
OH        :       3.0               1.0              13.0             12.5      
OK        :       3.0               3.5               9.5             14.0      
OR        :       9.0              13.5              34.0             32.5      
PA        :       4.0               3.0              20.0             19.0      
SC        :       3.0               4.0              43.0             26.0      
SD        :       1.5               1.5              25.5             60.0      
TX        :       3.5               4.0              22.0             22.0      
VA        :       8.0                .5              15.0             13.0      
WA        :       6.5               5.5              44.0             43.0      
WI        :       2.0               3.5              26.5             29.5      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       3.7               3.8              24.4             22.4      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       2.8               3.3              22.4             20.9      
          :                                                                     
US        :       3.7               3.8              24.3             22.3      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 1996-97        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Jan 1            :    28,542       30,203       106     
  Chicks Hatched During Dec 1/           :    30,797       33,161       108     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Dec 1/         :   396,468      408,004       103     
  Pullets Hatched During Dec for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       231          215        93     
    7-18 Month Earlier  2/               :     3,131        2,857        91     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Jan 1            :   570,863      582,618       102     
  Chicks Hatched During Dec 1/           :   691,193      694,811       101     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Dec 1/         : 7,928,512    8,057,167       102     
  Pullets Hatched During Dec for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,218        5,947        96     
    7-15 Months Earlier 3/               :    54,720       56,222       103     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Previous year.                                                              
2/  1996 includes pullet chicks hatched Jun 1995 through May 1996.              
3/  1996 includes pullet chicks hatched Sep 1995 through May 1996.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                               January 1, 1996-97                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                Geographic               :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    3,850        4,740        123     
E North Central                          :    7,816        8,357        107     
W North Central                          :    4,147        5,531        133     
South Atlantic                           :    4,773        4,828        101     
South Central                            :    4,046        2,942         73     
West                                     :    3,910        3,805         97     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   28,542       30,203        106     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
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 1995-96                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            December            :             Jan-Dec             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
             :   1995   :   1996   : as % of  :   1995   :   1996    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :     497        590      119       12,148      10,016       82    
FL           :   1,052      1,059      101       12,664      13,826      109    
GA           :   1,412      1,848      131       20,381      24,063      118    
IN           :   7,151      7,090       99       82,728      85,963      104    
IA           :   3,003      3,430      114       41,402      39,793       96    
KS           :     239        174       73        3,266       3,087       95    
MN           :   2,186      2,010       92       26,447      24,427       92    
MO           :     481        352       73        5,279       4,167       79    
PA           :   2,954      4,670      158       39,414      49,305      125    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  11,822     11,938      101      152,739     153,357      100    
             :                                                                  
US           :  30,797     33,161      108      396,468     408,004      103    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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   31,495    108    351,411    365,671  374,843    103   
Dec   : 30,166   30,797   33,161    108    381,577    396,468  408,004    103   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
        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       2,968   
Jul      :   254      235      259     110      3,045       2,941       2,952   
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      291     235      3,272       2,759               
Dec      :   125      231      215      93      3,131       2,857               
         :                                                                      
Total    : 3,045    2,941    2,952                                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 December 1996, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Jun 1995 through  
    May 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, January 1, 1996-97                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1997        
     Geographic    :       1996        :       1997        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1996        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       11,413              12,266               107         
E North Central    :        7,864               7,316                93         
W North Central    :       21,463              24,249               113         
South Atlantic     :      227,532             226,050                99         
South Central      :      281,182             290,309               103         
West               :       21,409              22,428               105         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      570,863             582,618               102         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                       and United States, December 1995-96                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            December            :             Jan-Dec             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
             :   1995   :   1996   : as % of  :   1995   :   1996    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  89,463     91,727      103     1,073,289   1,029,651      96    
AR           : 108,981    107,117       98     1,239,038   1,248,668     101    
DE           :  16,265     15,195       93       197,157     191,054      97    
FL           :  10,669     10,001       94       121,359     120,848     100    
GA           : 103,533    106,631      103     1,156,016   1,216,534     105    
MD           :  31,472     30,828       98       372,925     366,908      98    
MS           :  56,853     61,145      108       645,653     685,615     106    
NC           :  64,849     60,041       93       748,789     736,426      98    
PA           :  12,429     12,711      102       135,476     140,461     104    
SC           :  15,692     15,785      101       183,829     182,658      99    
TX           :  42,457     43,864      103       469,781     492,878     105    
VA           :  24,456     23,936       98       282,295     276,954      98    
CA TN & WV   :  34,679     35,155      101       407,651     406,469     100    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 611,798    614,136      100     7,033,258   7,095,124     101    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   5,515      6,021      109        66,223      66,667     101    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  73,880     74,654      101       829,031     895,376     108    
             :                                                                  
US           : 691,193    694,811      101     7,928,512   8,057,167     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  631,292    101  6,898,721 7,237,319 7,362,356   102   
Dec    :663,595  691,193  694,811    101  7,562,316 7,928,512 8,057,167   102   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
          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      57,596   
Jul      :  6,104    6,302    6,422    102     55,376      56,585      57,169   
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    6,508     98     54,649      55,921               
Dec      :  6,413    6,218    5,947     96     54,720      56,222               
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 73,150   73,940   74,997    101                                      
         :                                                                      
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    7,860    101                                      
Dec      :  7,908    7,750    7,709     99                                      
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 88,556   91,135   92,242    101                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 1996, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Sep 1995 through May   
    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         
February 24, 1997.                                                              
                                                                                
                                                                                
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