HDR1012000150021220961500Chickens and Eggs                                      
                                                                                
Released December 20, 1996, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service     
(NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  For     
information on "Chickens and Eggs" call Dan Boostrom at (202) 720-3244, office  
hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.  For assistance with general agricultural      
statistics, information about NASS, its products or services, contact the       
Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 or E-mail:                    
NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV. Estimates refer to October , November and December 1996.    
The "Chickens and Eggs" U.S. Summary is available on Autofax, (202) 720-2000,   
report 4200.  See page 20.                                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
               November Egg Production up 3 percent                             
                                                                                
U.S. egg production totaled 6.40 billion during November 1996, up 3 percent     
from the 6.23 billion produced in 1995.  Production included 5.46 billion       
table eggs and 937 million hatching eggs, of which 878 million were broiler-type
and 59.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers during              
November 1996 averaged 301 million, up 2 percent from the average number of     
layers during November 1995.  November egg production per 100 layers was 2,124  
eggs, compared with 2,109 in November 1995.                                     
                                                                                
Pou 1-1 (12-96)                                                                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
All layers in the U.S. on December 1, 1996, totaled 303 million, up 2 percent   
from a year ago.  The 303 million layers consisted of 251 million layers        
producing table or commercial type eggs, 49.7 million layers producing          
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.53 million layers producing egg-type          
hatching eggs.  Rate of lay per day on December 1, 1996, averaged 71.4 eggs     
per 100 layers, up 1 percent from the 71.0 a year ago.                          
                                                                                
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 6.06 billion eggs  
during November, up 3 percent from November 1995.  The average number of        
layers during November, at 285 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 November totaled 31.5 million, up 8 percent      
from November 1995.  Eggs in incubators totaled 31.6 million on December 1,     
1996, up 11 percent from a year ago.                                            
                                                                                
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply        
flocks by leading breeders totaled 291,000 during November 1996, up 135         
percent from the 124,000 of November 1995.                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Broiler Hatch Up 1 Percent                                  
                                                                                
The November 1996 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 631 million, was up 1        
percent  from  November of the previous year. There were 574 million eggs in    
incubators on December 1, 1996, up slightly from a year earlier.                
                                                                                
Leading breeders placed 6.51 million  broiler-type pullet chicks for future     
domestic hatchery supply flocks during November 1996, down 2 percent from       
November 1995.                                                                  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                           For information call Tom Kruchten at (202) 690-4870  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                    Layers:  Average Number During the Month,                   
                            United States, 1993-96 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Month  :      1993       :      1994      :      1995       :      1996       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                             1,000 Layers                             
         :                                                                      
Dec 2/   :     284,267          290,642           299,434           299,066     
Jan      :     284,398          290,041           299,084           299,513     
Feb      :     284,638          290,047           297,759           299,222     
Mar      :     284,405          290,719           296,796           299,066     
Apr      :     284,234          290,073           295,293           297,367     
May      :     283,694          288,784           292,548           295,133     
Jun      :     282,914          287,974           289,705           294,534     
Jul      :     283,324          287,990           287,557           295,914     
Aug      :     284,192          290,321           287,837           297,331     
Sep      :     285,418          293,381           290,021           298,151     
Oct      :     286,948          295,172           292,459           299,287     
Nov      :     288,875          297,134           295,562           301,365     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Data are for chart on cover page.                                           
2/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                   Eggs:  Production During the Month by Type,                  
                             United States, 1995-96                             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :     Total Eggs      :      Table Eggs      :     Hatching Eggs     
   Month   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996    :   1995    :   1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                            Million Eggs                            
           :                                                                    
Dec 1/     :   6,516      6,534      5,568      5,559         948         975   
Jan        :   6,369      6,411      5,417      5,433         952         978   
Feb        :   5,714      5,971      4,854      5,053         860         918   
Mar        :   6,448      6,513      5,492      5,523         956         990   
Apr        :   6,177      6,254      5,238      5,295         939         959   
May        :   6,251      6,351      5,271      5,354         980         997   
Jun        :   6,010      6,182      5,060      5,226         950         956   
Jul        :   6,145      6,450      5,179      5,468         966         982   
Aug        :   6,146      6,458      5,191      5,474         955         984   
Sep        :   5,990      6,243      5,063      5,305         927         938   
Oct        :   6,260      6,497      5,301      5,540         959         957   
Nov        :   6,232      6,401      5,298      5,464         934         937   
During Year:  74,258     76,265     62,932     64,694      11,326      11,571   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
                and Forced Molt, United States, October-November                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 1/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Oct              (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 292,459      299,287         102     
    Table Egg Type                       : 240,384      248,150         103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,075       51,137          98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,387       48,593          98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,688        2,544          95     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Oct (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :   2,140        2,171         101     
    Table Egg Type                       :   2,205        2,233         101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   1,842        1,871         102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   1,818        1,848         102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,269        2,319         102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Oct       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :   6,260        6,497         104     
    Table Egg Type                       :   5,301        5,540         105     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     959          957         100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     898          898         100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      61           59          97     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Nov 1                (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 294,486      299,729         102     
    Table Egg Type                       : 242,405      248,791         103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,081       50,938          98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,445       48,394          98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,636        2,544          97     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Nov 1   (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :      69.5         70.2       101     
    Table Egg Type                       :      71.7         72.2       101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      59.2         60.5       102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      58.4         59.7       102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      74.1         75.1       101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Nov 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :       3.6          3.1        86     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :      24.2         23.8        98     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
            and Forced Molt, United States, November-December 1995-96           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 1/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Nov                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  295,562      301,365        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  243,015      249,756        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,547       51,609         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,972       49,065         98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,575        2,544         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Nov  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,109        2,124        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,180        2,188        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,777        1,816        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,759        1,789        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,136        2,319        109     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Nov       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,232        6,401        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,298        5,464        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      934          937        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      879          878        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       55           59        107     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Dec 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  298,293      302,955        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  245,301      250,696        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,992       52,259         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   50,487       49,729         98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,505        2,530        101     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Dec 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     71.0         71.4        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     73.6         73.6        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.1         60.5        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.4         59.6        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     73.3         77.5        106     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Dec 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      2.2          2.1         95     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     25.5         23.5         92     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
             Molt, October-November, 30 Selected States, 1995-96 1/             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Oct                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  276,443      283,251        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  227,774      235,577        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,669       47,674         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,072       45,219         98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,597        2,455         95     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Oct  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,142        2,173        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,207        2,234        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,837        1,869        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,812        1,844        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,272        2,322        102     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Oct       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,922        6,154        104     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,028        5,263        105     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      894          891        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      835          834        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       59           57         97     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Nov 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  278,298      283,641        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  229,668      236,190        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,630       47,451         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,085       44,997         98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,545        2,454         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Nov 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     69.6         70.2        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :     71.8         72.2        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     59.0         60.4        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.2         59.6        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     73.9         74.9        101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Nov 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      3.6          3.1         86     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     24.3         24.0         99     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Oct           (1,000) :   14,605       15,700        107     
                                         :                                      
Layers Died, Destroyed, or               :                                      
Disappeared For Any Reason               :                                      
 During Oct                      (1,000) :    2,512        2,879        115     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Nov 1                   (1,000) :   69,237       69,795        101     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Oct         (1,000) :   20,631       22,349        108     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, November-December, 30 Selected States, 1995-96 1/            
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :  1996 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Nov                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  279,428      285,201        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  230,388      237,017        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,040       48,184         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,556       45,735         98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,484        2,449         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Nov  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,109        2,124        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,180        2,187        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,774        1,812        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,755        1,786        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,134        2,287        107     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Nov       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,893        6,057        103     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,023        5,184        103     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      870          873        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      817          817        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       53           56        106     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Dec 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  282,226      286,723        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,794      237,825        102     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   49,432       48,898         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   47,017       46,467         99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,415        2,431        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         60.4        102     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     58.3         59.5        102     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     73.1         77.4        106     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, 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) :   13,741       14,037        102     
                                         :                                      
Layers Died, Destroyed, or               :                                      
 Disappeared For Any Reason              :                                      
 During Nov                      (1,000) :    2,503        2,552        102     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Dec 1                   (1,000) :   74,031       70,308         95     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Nov         (1,000) :   21,609       20,736         96     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  The 30 States are listed in the table on page 8.                            
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                  and United States, During October 1995-96 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  Table Egg Layers in   :                  :    Eggs per 100 for    
           :Flocks 30,000 and Above :  All Layers 2/   :     All Layers 2/      
   State   :--------------------------------------------------------------------
           :   1995    :    1996    :  1995  :  1996   :   1995    :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  ----------------- 1,000 ----------------     ----- Number ----    
           :                                                                    
AL         :    4,530       4,086     11,403    10,318     2,008       2,045    
AR         :    5,585       5,005     15,640    14,713     1,912       1,917    
CA         :   24,794      25,301     25,348    25,841     2,174       2,198    
CO         :    2,647       2,745      3,164     3,275     2,118       2,168    
CT         :    3,364       3,462      3,534     3,588     2,264       2,258    
FL         :    8,381       8,130      9,039     8,762     2,179       2,214    
GA         :   10,674      10,847     18,539    18,539     2,028       2,087    
HI         :      726         701        776       725     1,969       2,089    
IL         :    2,532       3,100      2,731     3,291     2,197       2,400    
IN         :   19,528      20,517     20,355    21,597     2,221       2,278    
IA         :   15,909      19,212     16,776    20,079     2,051       2,226    
ME         :    4,771       5,165      4,917     5,290     2,400       2,382    
MD         :    3,427       3,434      3,851     3,875     2,337       2,271    
MI         :    4,960       4,654      5,236     4,891     2,093       2,288    
MN         :   10,145      11,370     10,980    12,203     2,140       2,163    
MS         :    2,240       2,143      6,099     6,534     1,968       2,020    
MO         :    5,875       5,588      6,822     6,611     2,125       2,178    
NE         :    8,700       8,966      8,850     9,116     2,176       2,155    
NY         :    3,642       3,183      3,964     3,467     2,346       2,365    
NC         :    6,081       5,461     13,795    12,298     1,935       1,935    
OH         :   21,754      24,730     22,148    25,214     2,298       2,249    
OK         :    2,023       1,858      3,788     3,753     2,033       1,998    
OR         :    2,421       2,520      2,627     2,720     2,170       2,279    
PA         :   19,640      19,490     20,946    20,766     2,258       2,268    
SC         :    3,827       3,637      4,851     4,705     2,206       2,274    
SD         :    1,503       1,878      1,738     2,090     2,362       2,238    
TX         :   13,043      13,137     16,396    16,500     2,141       2,097    
VA         :    1,645       1,940      3,757     3,891     2,050       2,030    
WA         :    4,988       4,881      5,230     5,122     2,294       2,284    
WI         :    2,619       2,968      3,143     3,477     2,195       2,128    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  221,974     230,109    276,443   283,251     2,142       2,173    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,294      11,256     16,016    16,036     2,104       2,139    
           :                                                                    
US         :  233,268     241,365    292,459   299,287     2,140       2,171    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 revised.                                                               
2/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg    
    flocks regardless of size.                                                  
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Layers and Eggs:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by State          
                  and United States, During 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    10,228     1,963       1,975    
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     3,593     2,202       2,227    
FL         :    8,757       8,213      9,420     8,878     2,091       2,095    
GA         :   10,947      11,073     18,958    19,010     1,999       2,041    
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    20,900     2,179       2,244    
IA         :   15,885      19,424     16,749    20,310     2,161       2,142    
ME         :    4,761       5,195      4,881     5,322     2,336       2,349    
MD         :    3,411       3,042      3,844     3,508     2,237       2,252    
MI         :    5,045       4,727      5,320     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     6,601     1,954       1,894    
MO         :    5,850       5,435      6,905     6,518     2,085       2,148    
NE         :    8,890       9,154      9,040     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    12,474     1,876       1,892    
OH         :   21,840      25,391     22,290    25,872     2,239       2,188    
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         :   19,915      19,905     21,238    21,170     2,251       2,239    
SC         :    3,792       3,734      4,809     4,763     2,163       2,225    
SD         :    1,495       1,840      1,730     2,048     2,250       2,175    
TX         :   13,268      13,290     16,486    16,631     2,093       2,098    
VA         :    1,729       2,016      3,806     4,033     1,971       1,934    
WA         :    4,977       4,872      5,203     5,111     2,229       2,230    
WI         :    2,770       3,069      3,287     3,590     2,190       2,089    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  224,649     231,542    279,428   285,201     2,109       2,124    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,306      11,402     16,134    16,164     2,101       2,128    
           :                                                                    
US         :  235,955     242,944    295,562   301,365     2,109       2,124    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 preliminary.                                                           
2/  Includes all layers and eggs produced in both table egg and hatching egg    
    flocks regardless of size.                                                  
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                               October 1995-96 1/                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    229        211        104         97       125       114    
AR             :    299        282        119        106       180       176    
CA             :    551        568                                              
CO             :     67         71                                              
CT             :     80         81                                              
FL             :    197        194        186        181        11        13    
GA             :    376        387        229        237       147       150    
HI             :     15         15         15         15         0         0    
IL             :     60         79         59         78         1         1    
IN             :    452        492        442        483        10         9    
IA             :    344        447                                              
ME             :    118        126                                              
MD             :     90         88         84         81         6         7    
MI             :    110        112                                              
MN             :    235        264        226        253         9        11    
MS             :    120        132         48         49        72        83    
MO             :    145        144                                              
NE             :    193        196        193        196         0         0    
NY             :     93         82                                              
NC             :    267        238        140        121       127       117    
OH             :    509        567                                              
OK             :     77         75         49         45        28        30    
OR             :     57         62         55         60         2         2    
PA             :    473        471        458        456        15        15    
SC             :    107        107         88         88        19        19    
SD             :     41         47         41         47         0         0    
TX             :    351        346        300        288        51        58    
VA             :     77         79         40         45        37        34    
WA             :    120        117                                              
WI             :     69         74                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,922      6,154      5,028      5,263       894       891    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    338        343        273        277        65        66    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,260      6,497      5,301      5,540       959       957    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 revised.                                                               
2/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing         
    individual operations.                                                      
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Egg Production:  By Type, State, and United States,              
                               November 1995-96 1/                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1995   :   1996   :   1995   :   1996   :  1995   :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    222        202        103         94       119       108    
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             :    362        435                                              
ME             :    114        125                                              
MD             :     86         79         79         72         7         7    
MI             :    113        113                                              
MN             :    238        248        229        238         9        10    
MS             :    120        125         50         45        70        80    
MO             :    144        140                                              
NE             :    188        200        188        200         0         0    
NY             :     92         80                                              
NC             :    260        236        138        121       122       115    
OH             :    499        566                                              
OK             :     76         71         48         42        28        29    
OR             :     60         60         58         58         2         2    
PA             :    478        474        463        459        15        15    
SC             :    104        106         85         88        19        18    
SD             :     39         45         39         45         0         0    
TX             :    345        349        294        293        51        56    
VA             :     75         78         39         43        36        35    
WA             :    116        114                                              
WI             :     72         75                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,893      6,057      5,023      5,184       870       873    
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    339        344        275        280        64        64    
               :                                                                
US             :  6,232      6,401      5,298      5,464       934       937    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 preliminary.                                                           
2/  Data by type of flock not shown for some States to avoid disclosing         
    individual operations.                                                      
3/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by Month,                 
                            United States, 1995-96 1/                           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :       Percent Being Molted        :    Percent with Molt Completed    
  Month :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
        :      1995       :      1996       :      1995       :      1996       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                                Percent                                
        :                                                                       
Jan     :       4.6               3.7              23.9              24.3       
Feb     :       6.3               5.5              23.7              22.4       
Mar     :       4.8               3.5              24.1              23.4       
Apr     :       3.4               2.0              23.8              22.9       
May     :       5.7               5.5              22.4              22.2       
Jun     :       6.0               4.7              23.0              22.3       
Jul     :       4.9               4.0              23.4              22.9       
Aug     :       4.1               4.6              23.4              22.0       
Sep     :       4.6               4.3              23.3              22.4       
Oct     :       5.1               4.8              23.3              23.0       
Nov     :       3.6               3.1              24.2              23.8       
Dec     :       2.2               2.1              25.5              23.5       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State                  
                     and United States, December 1995-96 1/                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1995       :      1996       :      1995      :      1996      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       1.0                .5              15.5             14.5      
AR        :       1.5               2.5              12.0             11.0      
CA        :       5.5               4.5              47.0             41.5      
CO        :       2.0               2.0              22.0             28.5      
CT        :       1.0                .0              14.5             13.0      
FL        :       1.5               2.0              47.0             31.0      
GA        :       1.5                .0              22.0             24.0      
HI        :       5.0               5.5              56.5             52.0      
IL        :       1.0               3.5              41.5             20.0      
IN        :       1.0               2.0              30.0             21.0      
IA        :       3.0               4.5              32.0             32.5      
ME        :        .0               1.5               1.0              1.5      
MD        :       2.0                .0              41.5             32.5      
MI        :       1.2               1.0              24.5             20.5      
MN        :       2.0               2.5              35.5             33.0      
MS        :        .0                .5              17.0             15.5      
MO        :       1.0                .0              28.0             20.0      
NE        :       8.0               2.5              25.0             26.5      
NY        :        .0               1.0               6.5              6.5      
NC        :       2.5                .0              15.0             12.0      
OH        :       1.0               1.0              13.5             13.0      
OK        :       2.5               1.5              12.0             13.5      
OR        :       1.0               8.0              45.0             29.5      
PA        :       1.5               1.0              20.0             21.0      
SC        :       1.5              10.0              41.0             25.0      
SD        :       3.5                .0              24.0             60.0      
TX        :       3.5               1.5              21.5             24.0      
VA        :       5.0               3.0              11.0             11.0      
WA        :       4.0               5.0              42.0             44.5      
WI        :       1.5               4.0              28.0             31.0      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       2.3               2.1              25.6             23.5      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       1.3               2.4              23.1             23.9      
          :                                                                     
US        :       2.2               2.1              25.5             23.5      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, November-December 1995-96        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                   Item                  :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Dec 1            :    28,573       31,575       111     
  Chicks Hatched During Nov              :    29,130       31,495       108     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Nov            :   365,671      374,843       103     
  Pullets Hatched During Nov for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       124          291       235     
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :     3,272        2,759        84     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Dec 1            :   572,200      573,500       100     
  Chicks Hatched During Nov              :   627,767      631,292       101     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Nov            : 7,237,319    7,362,356       102     
  Pullets Hatched During Nov for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,656        6,508        98     
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    54,649       55,921       102     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 includes pullet chicks hatched May 1995 through Apr 1996.              
2/  1996 includes pullet chicks hatched Aug 1995 through Apr 1996.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                               December 1, 1995-96                              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1996    
                Geographic               :    1995    :    1996    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1995    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    3,794        5,077        134     
E North Central                          :    7,273        8,471        116     
W North Central                          :    5,589        5,863        105     
South Atlantic                           :    4,963        4,447         90     
South Central                            :    3,315        3,002         91     
West                                     :    3,639        4,715        130     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   28,573       31,575        111     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
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,             
                                November 1995-96                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            November            :             Jan-Nov             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
             :   1995   :   1996   : as % of  :   1995   :   1996    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :   1,061        655       62       11,651       9,426       81    
FL           :   1,063      1,310      123       11,612      12,767      110    
GA           :     941      1,524      162       18,969      22,215      117    
IN           :   6,118      6,643      109       75,577      78,873      104    
IA           :   2,960      3,606      122       38,399      36,363       95    
KS           :     328        334      102        3,027       2,913       96    
MN           :   2,448      1,961       80       24,261      22,417       92    
MO           :     313        341      109        4,798       3,815       80    
PA           :   2,851      3,729      131       36,460      44,635      122    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  11,047     11,392      103      140,917     141,419      100    
             :                                                                  
US           :  29,130     31,495      108      365,671     374,843      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                    381,577    396,468                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
        Intended Placements:  Egg-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery Supply        
              Flocks by Month and Total, United States, 1994-96 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1996  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-18 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1995  :-----------------------------------
         :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :       :   1995    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 -------    Percent    ----------- 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
Jan      :   213      236     171       72      3,022       3,108       2,905   
Feb      :   184      251     238       95      3,009       3,089       2,929   
Mar      :   259      356     317       89      3,075       2,943       2,938   
Apr      :   277      317     252       79      3,106       2,920       2,877   
May      :   334      193     291      151      3,119       2,951       2,801   
Jun      :   257      234     282      121      3,187       2,835       2,968   
Jul      :   254      235     259      110      3,045       2,941               
Aug      :   309      163     172      106      3,068       2,876               
Sep      :   315      292     231       79      3,135       2,863               
Oct      :   278      309     233       75      3,232       2,824               
Nov      :   240      124     291      235      3,272       2,759               
Dec      :   125      231                       3,131       2,857               
         :                                                                      
Total    : 3,045    2,941                                                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes   
    expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate
    of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.                             
2/  For November 1996, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched May 1995 through  
    Apr 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, December 1, 1995-96                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1996        
     Geographic    :       1995        :       1996        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1995        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       12,487              11,947                96         
E North Central    :        9,168               7,329                80         
W North Central    :       18,615              21,758               117         
South Atlantic     :      228,670             223,687                98         
South Central      :      280,513             286,040               102         
West               :       22,747              22,739               100         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      572,200             573,500               100         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
                                                                                
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                       and United States, November 1995-96                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            November            :             Jan-Nov             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
             :   1995   :   1996   : as % of  :   1995   :   1996    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1995   :          :           :   1995   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  80,477     81,704      102       983,826     937,924      95    
AR           :  97,947     95,633       98     1,130,057   1,141,551     101    
DE           :  14,479     14,887      103       180,892     175,859      97    
FL           :   9,432      9,411      100       110,690     110,847     100    
GA           :  92,850     94,824      102     1,052,483   1,109,903     105    
MD           :  29,293     28,449       97       341,453     336,080      98    
MS           :  50,646     54,273      107       588,800     624,470     106    
NC           :  59,339     57,416       97       683,940     676,385      99    
PA           :  11,136     11,377      102       123,047     127,750     104    
SC           :  14,618     14,622      100       168,137     166,873      99    
TX           :  36,745     38,542      105       427,324     449,014     105    
VA           :  21,859     21,259       97       257,839     253,018      98    
CA TN & WV   :  33,750     33,704      100       372,972     371,314     100    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 552,571    556,101      101     6,421,460   6,480,988     101    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   4,931      5,045      102        60,708      60,646     100    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  70,265     70,146      100       755,151     820,722     109    
             :                                                                  
US           : 627,767    631,292      101     7,237,319   7,362,356     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                  7,562,316 7,928,512                   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
          Intended Placements:  Broiler-Type Pullet Chicks for Hatchery         
                  Supply Flocks by Month and Total, 1994-96 1/                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         :                          :       :  Cumulative Potential Placements  
         :  Pullet Chicks Hatched   : 1996  : Relative to Current Supply Flocks 
  Month  :                          :as % of:      7-15 Months Earlier 2/       
         :--------------------------: 1995  :-----------------------------------
         :  1994  :  1995  :  1996  :       :   1995    :   1996    :   1997    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         : -------- 1,000 --------   Percent   ------------ 1,000 -----------   
         :                                                                      
US       :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments   :                                                                      
Jan      :  5,988    5,710   5,538      97     53,071      54,562      56,103   
Feb      :  5,452    5,484   5,916     108     53,563      54,522      56,512   
Mar      :  6,334    6,161   6,374     103     53,808      55,178      56,374   
Apr      :  6,121    6,320   6,442     102     54,576      55,053      56,322   
May      :  6,266    6,135   6,776     110     54,930      55,356      57,004   
Jun      :  5,911    6,178   6,169     100     55,297      56,528      57,596   
Jul      :  6,104    6,302   6,422     102     55,376      56,585               
Aug      :  6,064    6,475   6,518     101     54,965      55,803               
Sep      :  6,336    6,288   6,166      98     54,183      55,584               
Oct      :  6,342    6,013   6,221     103     54,433      55,781               
Nov      :  5,819    6,656   6,508      98     54,649      55,921               
Dec      :  6,413    6,218                     54,720      56,222               
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 73,150   73,940                                                      
         :                                                                      
Total    :                                                                      
 Place-  :                                                                      
 ments3/ :                                                                      
Jan      :  7,171    7,040   6,782      96                                      
Feb      :  6,762    7,180   7,167     100                                      
Mar      :  7,464    7,577   7,645     101                                      
Apr      :  7,284    7,835   7,664      98                                      
May      :  7,394    7,873   8,234     105                                      
Jun      :  7,382    7,485   7,467     100                                      
Jul      :  7,146    7,730   7,923     102                                      
Aug      :  7,290    7,850   8,128     104                                      
Sep      :  7,545    7,730   7,771     101                                      
Oct      :  7,959    7,301   7,892     108                                      
Nov      :  7,251    7,784   7,860     101                                      
Dec      :  7,908    7,750                                                      
         :                                                                      
Annual   :                                                                      
 Total   : 88,556   91,135                                                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Reported by leading breeders.  Coverage may not be 100 percent.  Includes   
    expected pullet chicks from eggs sold during the preceding month at the rate
    of 125 pullet chicks per 30 dozen case of eggs.                             
2/  For Nov 1996, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Aug 1995 through Apr   
    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         
January 31, 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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For assistance with general agricultural statistics or further information      
about NASS or its products or services, contact the Agricultural Statistics     
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NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV.                                                             
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
          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