Chickens                                                                        
and Eggs                                                                        
                                                                                
     National                                                                   
     Agricultural                                                               
     Statistics                                                                 
     Service                                                                    
                                                                                
USDA                                                                            
Washington, D.C.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Released November 21, 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.                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                October Egg Production Up 2 Percent                             
                                                                                
U.S. egg production totaled 6.65 billion during October 1997, up 2 percent      
from the 6.50 billion produced in 1996.  Production included 5.61 billion       
table eggs and 1.03 billion hatching eggs, of which 975 million were            
broiler-type and 59.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers        
during October 1997 averaged 306 million, up 2 percent from the average number  
of layers during October 1996.  October egg production per 100 layers was       
2,171 eggs, the same as in October 1996.                                        
                                                                                
All layers in the U.S. on November 1, 1997, totaled 306 million, up 2 percent   
from a year ago.  The 306 million layers consisted of 251 million layers        
producing table or commercial type eggs, 52.6 million layers producing          
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.46 million layers producing egg-type          
hatching eggs.  Rate of lay per day on November 1, 1997, averaged 70.4 eggs     
per 100 layers, up fractionally from the 70.2 a year ago.                       
                                                                                
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 6.30 billion eggs  
during October, up 2 percent from October 1996.  The average number of layers   
during October, at 290 million, was  up 2 percent from a 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 6 Percent                              
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched during October totaled 35.2 million, up 6 percent from  
October 1996.  Eggs in incubators totaled 26.9 million on November 1, 1997,     
down 6 percent from a year ago.                                                 
                                                                                
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply        
flocks by leading breeders totaled 266,000 during October 1997, up 14 percent   
from the 233,000 of October 1996.                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Broiler Hatch Up 5 Percent                                   
                                                                                
The October 1997 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 683 million, was up 5         
percent from  October of the previous year. There were 551 million eggs in      
incubators on November 1, 1997, up 4 percent from a year earlier.               
                                                                                
Leading breeders placed 6.25 million  broiler-type pullet chicks for future     
domestic hatchery supply flocks during October 1997, up 1 percent from          
October 1996.                                                                   
                                                                                
                                                                                
                          For information call Tom Kruchten at  (202) 690-4870  
                    Layers:  Average Number During the Month,                   
                             United States, 1994-97                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month  :      1994       :      1995      :      1996       :      1997       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                             1,000 Layers                             
         :                                                                      
Dec 1/   :     290,642          299,160           298,861           303,669     
Jan      :     290,041          298,367           298,814           303,293     
Feb      :     290,047          297,293           298,357           302,971     
Mar      :     290,719          296,561           298,209           303,244     
Apr      :     290,073          295,464           296,605           302,666     
May      :     288,784          293,198           294,458           301,235     
Jun      :     287,974          290,313           293,915           299,427     
Jul      :     287,990          288,213           295,349           298,548     
Aug      :     290,321          288,359           296,785           298,861     
Sep      :     293,381          290,337           297,696           302,585     
Oct      :     295,172          292,516           299,196           306,028     
Nov      :     297,134          296,724           301,604                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  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      6,678      5,548      5,695         975         983   
Jan        :   6,398      6,554      5,420      5,567         978         987   
Feb        :   5,954      5,887      5,036      4,985         918         902   
Mar        :   6,495      6,600      5,505      5,580         990       1,020   
Apr        :   6,243      6,334      5,284      5,336         959         998   
May        :   6,340      6,495      5,341      5,449         999       1,046   
Jun        :   6,169      6,265      5,209      5,250         960       1,015   
Jul        :   6,440      6,433      5,457      5,400         983       1,033   
Aug        :   6,447      6,467      5,465      5,453         982       1,014   
Sep        :   6,235      6,344      5,297      5,353         938         991   
Oct        :   6,495      6,645      5,539      5,611         956       1,034   
Nov        :   6,409                 5,471                    938               
During Year:  76,148     70,702     64,572     59,679      11,576      11,023   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
          and Forced Molt, United States, September-October 1996-97 1/          
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1997   
                Item                :   Unit   :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  
                                    :          :          :          :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :                                
Layers During Sep                   :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          : 297,696    302,585       102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 245,961    247,998       101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  51,735     54,587       106   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  49,216     52,085       106   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,519      2,502        99   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers During Sep      :  Number  :                                
  All Layers                        :          :   2,094      2,097       100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   2,154      2,158       100   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   1,813      1,815       100   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   1,794      1,795       100   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,183      2,238       103   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs Produced During Sep            :  Million :                                
  All Layers                        :          :   6,235      6,344       102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :   5,297      5,353       101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     938        991       106   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     883        935       106   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :      55         56       102   
                                    :          :                                
Layers on Oct 1                     :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          : 298,433    305,864       102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          : 247,144    250,718       101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :  51,289     55,146       108   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :  48,757     52,583       108   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :   2,532      2,563       101   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers on Oct 1        :  Number  :                                
  All Layers                        :          :      69.7       69.8     100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :      71.7       71.7     100   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :      60.2       60.8     101   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :      59.5       60.0     101   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :      74.3       76.6     103   
                                    :          :                                
Forced Molt Layers on Oct 1         :  Percent :                                
  Percent Being Molted              :          :       4.8        4.7      98   
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :      23.0       22.6      98   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
            and Forced Molt, United States, October-November 1996-97            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1997   
                Item                :   Unit   : 1996 1/  : 1997 2/  : as % of  
                                    :          :          :          :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :                                
Layers During Oct                   :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          :  299,196    306,028      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  248,071    250,913      101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   51,125     55,115      108   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   48,581     52,597      108   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,544      2,518       99   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers During Oct      :  Number  :                                
  All Layers                        :          :    2,171      2,171      100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    2,233      2,236      100   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :    1,870      1,876      100   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :    1,846      1,854      100   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,319      2,343      101   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs Produced During Oct            :  Million :                                
  All Layers                        :          :    6,495      6,645      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    5,539      5,611      101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :      956      1,034      108   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :      897        975      109   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :       59         59      100   
                                    :          :                                
Layers on Nov 1                     :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          :  299,910    306,146      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  248,972    251,084      101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   50,938     55,062      108   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   48,394     52,598      109   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,544      2,464       97   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers on Nov 1        :  Number  :                                
  All Layers                        :          :     70.2       70.4      100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :     72.2       72.6      101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     60.5       60.1       99   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     59.7       59.4       99   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :     75.1       76.6      102   
                                    :          :                                
Forced Molt Layers, Nov 1           :  Percent :                                
  Percent Being Molted              :          :      3.1        4.2      135   
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :     23.9       22.2       93   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
           Molt, September-October, 30 Selected States, 1996-97 1/ 2/           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1997   
                Item                :   Unit   :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  
                                    :          :          :          :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :                                
Layers During Sep                   :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          :  281,703    286,616      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  233,451    235,867      101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   48,252     50,749      105   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   45,819     48,347      106   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,433      2,402       99   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers During Sep      :  Number  :                                
  All Layers                        :          :    2,097      2,099      100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    2,154      2,160      100   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :    1,818      1,813      100   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :    1,796      1,793      100   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,219      2,206       99   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs Produced During Sep            :  Million :                                
  All Layers                        :          :    5,906      6,015      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    5,029      5,095      101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :      877        920      105   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :      823        867      105   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :       54         53       98   
                                    :          :                                
Layers on Oct 1                     :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          :  282,537    289,687      103   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  234,682    238,421      102   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   47,855     51,266      107   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   45,409     48,814      107   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,446      2,452      100   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers on Oct 1        :  Number  :                                
  All Layers                        :          :     69.8       69.9      100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :     71.8       71.8      100   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     60.1       60.8      101   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     59.4       60.0      101   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :     74.0       77.1      104   
                                    :          :                                
Forced Molt Layers on Oct 1         :  Percent :                                
  Percent Being Molted              :          :      4.8        4.7       98   
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :     23.1       22.6       98   
                                    :          :                                
Layers Sold During Sep              :  1,000   :   14,508     12,401       85   
                                    :          :                                
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,   :          :                                
 Composted or Disappeared For Any   :          :                                
 Reason During Sep                  :  1,000   :    2,841      2,856      101   
                                    :          :                                
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks          :          :                                
 of Age, Oct 1                      :  1,000   :   69,798     75,000      107   
                                    :          :                                
Pullets Added During Sep  3/        :  1,000   :   20,039     17,603       88   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
3/  1996 is pullets added less than 20 weeks old to pullet flocks.  1997 is     
    pullet chicks one day old added to pullet flocks.                           
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
             Molt, 30 Selected States, October-November, 1996-97 1/             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :          :          :   1997   
                Item                :   Unit   : 1996 2/  : 1997 3/  : as % of  
                                    :          :          :          :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    :          :                                
Layers During Oct                   :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          :  283,233    289,859      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  235,571    238,621      101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   47,662     51,238      108   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   45,207     48,817      108   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,455      2,421       99   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers During Oct      :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          :    2,172      2,173      100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    2,234      2,237      100   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :    1,867      1,874      100   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :    1,843      1,850      100   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,322      2,354      101   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs Produced During Oct            :  Million :                                
  All Layers                        :          :    6,153      6,298      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :    5,263      5,338      101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :      890        960      108   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :      833        903      108   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :       57         57      100   
                                    :          :                                
Layers on Nov 1                     :  1,000   :                                
  All Layers                        :          :  283,893    289,996      102   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :  236,442    238,805      101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :   47,451     51,191      108   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :   44,997     48,809      108   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :    2,454      2,382       97   
                                    :          :                                
Eggs per 100 Layers on Nov 1        :  Number  :                                
  All Layers                        :          :     70.2       70.4      100   
    Table Egg Type                  :          :     72.2       72.6      101   
    Hatching Egg Type               :          :     60.4       60.2      100   
      Broiler-Type Hatching         :          :     59.6       59.4      100   
      Egg-Type Hatching             :          :     74.9       76.8      103   
                                    :          :                                
Forced Molt Layers, Nov 1           :  Percent :                                
  Percent Being Molted              :          :      3.1        4.2      135   
  Percent with Molt Completed       :          :     24.0       22.2       93   
                                    :          :                                
Layers Sold During Oct              :  1,000   :   15,764     14,164       90   
                                    :          :                                
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,   :          :                                
 Composted or Disappeared For Any   :          :                                
 Reason During Oct                  :  1,000   :    2,877      3,469      121   
                                    :          :                                
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks          :          :                                
 of Age, Nov 1                      :  1,000   :   69,965     74,442      106   
                                    :          :                                
Pullets Added During Oct 4/         :  1,000   :   22,561     17,563       78   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Revised.                                                                    
3/  Preliminary.                                                                
4/  1996 is pullets added less than 20 weeks old to pullet flocks.  1997 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 September 1996-97 1/                 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1996    :    1997    :  1996  :  1997   :   1996    :    1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,135       4,050     10,481    10,745     1,918       1,908    
AR         :    4,890       4,660     14,520    14,396     1,860       1,827    
CA         :   25,017      24,912     25,571    25,516     2,088       2,105    
CO         :    2,686       2,871      3,248     3,435     2,094       2,125    
CT         :    3,497       3,107      3,626     3,253     2,151       2,183    
FL         :    8,204       8,617      8,799     9,231     2,228       2,123    
GA         :   10,628      11,356     18,441    20,151     2,028       1,980    
HI         :      700         687        724       711     1,989       1,866    
IL         :    3,059       2,945      3,251     3,092     2,338       2,232    
IN         :   20,654      20,425     21,752    21,285     2,193       2,218    
IA         :   19,100      20,428     19,967    21,357     2,179       2,126    
ME         :    5,014       4,788      5,139     4,894     2,316       2,329    
MD         :    3,216       2,816      3,652     3,236     2,054       2,163    
MI         :    4,655       4,845      4,885     5,086     2,121       2,232    
MN         :   11,315      10,818     12,155    11,648     2,123       2,069    
MS         :    2,115       1,855      6,556     6,699     1,952       1,926    
MO         :    5,683       5,550      6,663     6,774     2,146       2,214    
NE         :    8,916       9,528      9,066     9,678     2,088       2,139    
NY         :    3,212       3,007      3,495     3,217     2,260       2,269    
NC         :    5,473       4,401     12,607    11,716     1,896       1,861    
OH         :   23,954      25,507     24,436    26,056     2,185       2,234    
OK         :    1,860       1,673      3,793     3,553     1,951       1,886    
OR         :    2,475       2,767      2,675     2,930     2,280       2,150    
PA         :   19,245      20,155     20,493    21,378     2,181       2,189    
SC         :    3,655       3,700      4,718     4,795     2,183       2,169    
SD         :    1,895       1,843      2,110     2,120     2,211       2,214    
TX         :   12,983      13,634     16,428    17,219     1,911       2,027    
VA         :    1,919       1,515      3,898     3,391     2,129       1,976    
WA         :    4,811       4,955      5,045     5,326     2,240       2,216    
WI         :    3,021       3,093      3,509     3,728     2,080       2,226    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  227,987     230,508    281,703   286,616     2,097       2,099    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,250      11,072     15,993    15,969     2,051       2,054    
           :                                                                    
US         :  239,237     241,580    297,696   302,585     2,094       2,097    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 October 1996-97 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1996    :    1997    :  1996  :  1997   :   1996    :    1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,086       3,987     10,318    10,569     2,045       1,959    
AR         :    5,005       4,414     14,713    14,364     1,917       1,887    
CA         :   25,301      25,231     25,841    25,881     2,198       2,191    
CO         :    2,745       2,994      3,275     3,560     2,168       2,247    
CT         :    3,462       3,160      3,588     3,315     2,258       2,293    
FL         :    8,130       9,339      8,762     9,963     2,214       2,148    
GA         :   10,847      11,680     18,539    20,582     2,087       2,089    
HI         :      701         691        725       716     2,089       1,888    
IL         :    3,100       3,247      3,291     3,392     2,400       2,358    
IN         :   20,517      20,568     21,597    21,430     2,278       2,282    
IA         :   19,212      20,222     20,079    21,159     2,226       2,264    
ME         :    5,165       4,831      5,290     4,938     2,382       2,410    
MD         :    3,199       2,723      3,640     3,168     2,280       2,210    
MI         :    4,654       4,906      4,891     5,150     2,288       2,266    
MN         :   11,370      10,878     12,203    11,686     2,163       2,165    
MS         :    2,143       1,820      6,534     6,706     2,020       1,953    
MO         :    5,588       5,615      6,611     6,874     2,178       2,226    
NE         :    8,966       9,648      9,116     9,798     2,155       2,192    
NY         :    3,183       3,131      3,467     3,343     2,365       2,393    
NC         :    5,461       4,276     12,298    11,519     1,935       1,901    
OH         :   24,730      25,948     25,214    26,494     2,249       2,272    
OK         :    1,858       1,680      3,753     3,585     1,998       1,925    
OR         :    2,520       2,893      2,720     3,060     2,279       2,190    
PA         :   19,490      20,455     20,766    21,696     2,268       2,277    
SC         :    3,637       3,698      4,705     4,789     2,274       2,234    
SD         :    1,878       1,888      2,090     2,163     2,238       2,241    
TX         :   13,294      13,679     16,645    17,361     2,091       2,120    
VA         :    1,940       1,627      3,891     3,605     2,030       1,969    
WA         :    4,881       4,915      5,122     5,245     2,284       2,326    
WI         :    3,040       3,119      3,549     3,748     2,141       2,295    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  230,103     233,263    283,233   289,859     2,172       2,173    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,256      11,237     15,963    16,169     2,142       2,146    
           :                                                                    
US         :  241,359     244,500    299,196   306,028     2,171       2,171    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 preliminary, 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.                          
                                                                                
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                              September 1996-97 1/                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    201        205         89         88       112       117    
AR             :    270        263        100         94       170       169    
CA             :    534        537                                              
CO             :     68         73                                              
CT             :     78         71                                              
FL             :    196        196        184        185        12        11    
GA             :    374        399        226        236       148       163    
HI             :     14         13         14         13         0         0    
IL             :     76         69         75         68         1         1    
IN             :    477        472        468        462         9        10    
IA             :    435        454                                              
ME             :    119        114                                              
MD             :     75         70         69         64         6         6    
MI             :    104        113                                              
MN             :    258        241        247        230        11        11    
MS             :    128        129         48         41        80        88    
MO             :    143        150                                              
NE             :    189        207        189        207         0         0    
NY             :     79         73                                              
NC             :    239        218        120         92       119       126    
OH             :    534        582                                              
OK             :     74         67         44         37        30        30    
OR             :     61         63         59         62         2         1    
PA             :    447        468        433        455        14        13    
SC             :    103        104         85         85        18        19    
SD             :     47         47         47         47         0         0    
TX             :    314        349                                              
VA             :     83         67         44         34        39        33    
WA             :    113        118                                              
WI             :     73         83                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,906      6,015      5,029      5,095       877       920    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    329        329        268        258        61        71    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,235      6,344      5,297      5,353       938       991    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,              
                               October 1996-97 1/                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    211        207         97         89       114        118   
AR             :    282        271        106         91       176        180   
CA             :    568        567                                              
CO             :     71         80                                              
CT             :     81         76                                              
FL             :    194        214        181        202        13         12   
GA             :    387        430        237        259       150        171   
HI             :     15         14         15         14         0          0   
IL             :     79         80         78         79         1          1   
IN             :    492        489        483        479         9         10   
IA             :    447        479                                              
ME             :    126        119                                              
MD             :     83         70         76         63         7          7   
MI             :    112        117                                              
MN             :    264        253        253        242        11         11   
MS             :    132        131         49         40        83         91   
MO             :    144        153                                              
NE             :    196        215        196        215         0          0   
NY             :     82         80                                              
NC             :    238        219        121         91       117        128   
OH             :    567        602                                              
OK             :     75         69         45         38        30         31   
OR             :     62         67         60         66         2          1   
PA             :    471        494        456        479        15         15   
SC             :    107        107         88         87        19         20   
SD             :     47         48         47         48         0          0   
TX             :    348        368                                              
VA             :     79         71         45         37        34         34   
WA             :    117        122                                              
WI             :     76         86                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  6,153      6,298      5,263      5,338       890        960   
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    342        347        276        273        66         74   
               :                                                                
US             :  6,495      6,645      5,539      5,611       956      1,034   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 preliminary, 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.                          
                                                                                
                  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               5.1              22.3              21.6       
Mar     :       3.5               2.4              23.3              22.9       
Apr     :       1.9               3.1              22.9              21.8       
May     :       5.4               5.3              22.2              19.8       
Jun     :       4.7               4.4              22.2              20.8       
Jul     :       4.0               4.8              22.9              21.1       
Aug     :       4.7               3.5              22.0              21.9       
Sep     :       4.3               3.9              22.3              21.5       
Oct     :       4.8               4.7              23.0              22.6       
Nov     :       3.1               4.2              23.9              22.2       
Dec     :       2.1                                23.5                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State                  
                     and United States, November 1996-97 1/                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1996       :      1997       :      1996      :      1997      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       2.0               2.5              15.0             15.5      
AR        :       1.0               1.0              12.5             14.0      
CA        :       5.5               8.0              42.0             36.0      
CO        :       4.0               1.5              25.5             23.5      
CT        :       0.5               0.0              13.0             12.0      
FL        :       6.0               9.0              36.0             37.5      
GA        :       4.5               6.5              25.0             18.5      
HI        :       5.0               5.5              54.0             52.5      
IL        :       5.0               1.5              20.0             33.5      
IN        :       0.5               3.0              20.5             22.0      
IA        :       3.0               5.0              34.5             24.5      
ME        :       0.5               0.0               1.5              0.0      
MD        :       4.0               8.0              39.0             46.0      
MI        :       2.5               3.5              19.5             16.0      
MN        :       4.0               3.5              33.5             36.0      
MS        :       2.0               2.0              14.5             12.0      
MO        :       0.5               2.5              22.5             24.0      
NE        :       5.0              13.0              29.5             23.0      
NY        :       1.0               1.0               5.5              3.5      
NC        :       2.5               4.0              14.0             13.0      
OH        :       2.5               1.5              12.0             13.5      
OK        :       2.5               1.0              15.0             11.0      
OR        :      12.0               6.5              29.0             33.5      
PA        :       2.5               3.0              22.0             15.0      
SC        :       3.5               6.5              27.5             32.0      
SD        :       4.5               1.5              56.5             55.5      
TX        :       2.0               3.5              24.0             24.0      
VA        :       2.5               2.5              10.0             10.0      
WA        :       7.5               5.5              40.5             36.5      
WI        :       5.5               0.5              24.0             26.0      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       3.1               4.2              24.0             22.2      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       3.4               3.3              21.2             22.7      
          :                                                                     
US        :       3.1               4.2              23.9             22.2      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 1996-97        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Nov 1            :    28,787       26,917        94     
  Chicks Hatched During Oct              :    33,065       35,175       106     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Oct            :   342,794      358,715       105     
  Pullets Hatched During Sep for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       233          266       114     
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :     2,872        2,799        97     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Nov 1            :   527,789      550,530       104     
  Chicks Hatched During Oct              :   652,232      683,061       105     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Oct            : 6,750,785    6,946,752       103     
  Pullets Hatched During Sep for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,221        6,254       101     
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    55,448       56,126       101     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Apr 1996 through Mar 1997.              
2/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Jul 1996 through Mar 1997.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                               November 1, 1996-97                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                Geographic               :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    4,887        6,083        124     
E North Central                          :    7,690        7,636         99     
W North Central                          :    5,725        5,101         89     
South Atlantic                           :    3,986        2,890         73     
South Central                            :    2,290        2,282        100     
West                                     :    4,209        2,925         69     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   28,787       26,917         94     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
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 1996-97                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            October             :             Jan-Oct             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997   
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :     585        846      145        8,771       8,239       94    
FL           :   1,536      1,327       86       11,417      12,185      107    
GA           :   1,912      1,719       90       20,691      20,537       99    
IN           :   6,886      7,048      102       72,226      72,567      100    
IA           :   2,766      4,185      151       32,757      39,753      121    
KS           :     201        232      115        2,579       2,579      100    
MN           :   1,984      1,946       98       20,285      19,573       96    
MO           :     351        372      106        3,474       3,871      111    
PA           :   3,728      4,181      112       40,669      48,471      119    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  13,116     13,319      102      129,925     130,940      101    
             :                                                                  
US           :  33,065     35,175      106      342,794     358,715      105    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Not published separately to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By Month, United States, 1995-97           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      :            By Months             :              Cumulative              
      :-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month:        :        :        : 1997  :          :         :        :  1997  
      :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :as % of:   1995   :  1996   :  1997  :as % of 
      :        :        :        : 1996  :          :         :        :  1996  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      : --------- 1,000 --------  Percent  ---------- 1,000 ----------  Percent 
      :                                                                         
Jan   : 32,374   31,523   33,331    106     32,374     31,523   33,331    106   
Feb   : 32,743   34,627   35,318    102     65,117     66,150   68,649    104   
Mar   : 36,019   37,474   37,648    100    101,136    103,624  106,297    103   
Apr   : 35,078   35,628   38,746    109    136,214    139,252  145,043    104   
May   : 37,540   38,607   38,891    101    173,754    177,859  183,934    103   
Jun   : 34,996   34,076   36,955    108    208,750    211,935  220,889    104   
Jul   : 29,572   33,331   33,954    102    238,322    245,266  254,843    104   
Aug   : 31,442   32,393   32,903    102    269,764    277,659  287,746    104   
Sep   : 33,586   32,070   35,794    112    303,350    309,729  323,540    104   
Oct   : 33,383   33,065   35,175    106    336,733    342,794  358,715    105   
Nov   : 29,129   31,437                    365,862    374,231                   
Dec   : 30,639   33,017                    396,501    407,248                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
        Intended Placements:  Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply        
              Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1995-97 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1997  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-18 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1996  :-----------------------------------
         :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :       :   1996    :   1997    :   1998    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 -------    Percent    ----------- 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
Jan      :   236      219     208       95      3,108       2,953       2,814   
Feb      :   251      238     219       92      3,089       2,984       2,747   
Mar      :   356      317     206       65      2,943       3,007       2,845   
Apr      :   317      252     316      125      2,920       2,946       3,011   
May      :   193      291     268       92      2,951       2,870       3,044   
Jun      :   234      282     256       91      2,835       2,956               
Jul      :   235      266     199       75      2,941       2,940               
Aug      :   163      186     284      153      2,924       2,929               
Sep      :   292      231     397      172      2,911       2,910               
Oct      :   309      233     266      114      2,872       2,799               
Nov      :   124      210                       2,807       2,863               
Dec      :   231      215                       2,905       2,840               
         :                                                                      
Total    : 2,941    2,940                                                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Apr 1996 through   
    Mar 1997.  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, 1996-97                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1997        
     Geographic    :       1996        :       1997        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1996        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       11,157              11,053                99         
E North Central    :        8,034               6,879                86         
W North Central    :       19,387              19,497               101         
South Atlantic     :      206,559             209,503               101         
South Central      :      259,954             282,801               109         
West               :       22,698              20,797                92         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      527,789             550,530               104         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                       and United States, October 1996-97                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            October             :             Jan-Oct             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997   
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  85,353     89,398      105       874,324     912,097     104    
AR           : 102,951    104,540      102     1,046,338   1,057,280     101    
DE           :  15,591     15,117       97       160,974     162,673     101    
FL           :   9,840      9,279       94       101,436      94,036      93    
GA           :  98,430    103,762      105     1,015,079   1,054,647     104    
MD           :  28,387     28,825      102       304,393     304,005     100    
MS           :  57,890     61,095      106       570,197     616,249     108    
NC           :  57,277     57,082      100       618,943     605,992      98    
PA           :  11,426     12,791      112       116,564     127,098     109    
SC           :  15,370     15,375      100       152,251     152,864     100    
TX           :  40,462     43,083      106       410,487     436,539     106    
VA           :  22,238     23,113      104       231,659     235,826     102    
CA TN & WV   :  31,061     33,747      109       337,378     347,926     103    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 576,276    597,207      104     5,940,023   6,107,232     103    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   5,042      4,740       94        55,601      57,396     103    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  70,914     81,114      114       755,161     782,124     104    
             :                                                                  
US           : 652,232    683,061      105     6,750,785   6,946,752     103    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, 1995-97           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :            By Months             :             Cumulative              
       :------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Month :        :        :        : 1997  :        :         :         :  1997  
       :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :as % of:  1995  :  1996   :  1997   :as % of 
       :        :        :        : 1996  :        :         :         :  1996  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :--------- 1,000 ---------  Percent----------- 1,000 ----------- Percent 
       :                                                                        
Jan    :662,467  689,994  700,467    102    662,467   689,994   700,467   102   
Feb    :600,095  645,590  631,259     98  1,262,562 1,335,584 1,331,726   100   
Mar    :679,066  692,287  716,374    103  1,941,628 2,027,871 2,048,100   101   
Apr    :664,121  668,378  690,790    103  2,605,749 2,696,249 2,738,890   102   
May    :691,935  700,556  720,610    103  3,297,684 3,396,805 3,459,500   102   
Jun    :670,815  672,168  702,511    105  3,968,499 4,068,973 4,162,011   102   
Jul    :673,666  679,766  709,150    104  4,642,165 4,748,739 4,871,161   103   
Aug    :674,054  690,838  709,281    103  5,316,219 5,439,577 5,580,442   103   
Sep    :638,882  658,976  683,249    104  5,955,101 6,098,553 6,263,691   103   
Oct    :655,036  652,232  683,061    105  6,610,137 6,750,785 6,946,752   103   
Nov    :629,208  631,142                  7,239,345 7,381,927                   
Dec    :693,007  695,011                  7,932,352 8,076,938                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
          Intended Placements:  Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery         
                  Supply Flocks by Month and Total, 1995-97 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1997  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-15 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1996  :-----------------------------------
         :  1995  :  1996  :  1997  :       :   1996    :   1997    :   1998    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 --------   Percent   ------------ 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
US       :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments   :                                                                      
Jan      :  5,710    5,487   6,393     117     54,562      56,074      56,607   
Feb      :  5,484    5,916   5,913     100     54,522      56,090      57,718   
Mar      :  6,161    6,093   6,439     106     55,178      55,944      57,907   
Apr      :  6,320    6,746   6,122      91     55,053      55,892      58,462   
May      :  6,135    6,776   7,056     104     55,356      56,626      58,323   
Jun      :  6,178    6,169   6,008      97     56,528      57,218               
Jul      :  6,302    6,029   7,332     122     56,585      57,072               
Aug      :  6,475    6,510   6,697     103     55,752      56,719               
Sep      :  6,288    6,166   6,502     105     55,533      55,856               
Oct      :  6,013    6,221   6,254     101     55,448      56,126               
Nov      :  6,656    6,508                     55,892      56,219               
Dec      :  6,218    5,947                     56,193      56,765               
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 73,940   74,568                                                      
         :                                                                      
Total    :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments3/ :                                                                      
Jan      :  7,040    6,693   7,665     115                                      
Feb      :  7,180    7,167   7,252     101                                      
Mar      :  7,577    7,501   8,030     107                                      
Apr      :  7,835    7,903   7,453      94                                      
May      :  7,873    8,234   8,660     105                                      
Jun      :  7,485    7,467   7,483     100                                      
Jul      :  7,730    7,572   8,714     115                                      
Aug      :  7,850    8,120   8,350     103                                      
Sep      :  7,730    7,771   8,188     105                                      
Oct      :  7,301    7,892   8,277     105                                      
Nov      :  7,784    7,860                                                      
Dec      :  7,750    7,709                                                      
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 91,135   91,889                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Jul 1996 through Mar   
    1997.                                                                       
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 p.m. ET on December   
19, 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's   
TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).                                  
                                                                                
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington,      
D.C., 20250, or call 1-800-245-6340 (voice) or 202-720-1127 (TDD).  USDA is an  
equal employment opportunity employer.                                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
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