HDR1012000150020822971500Chickens and Eggs                                      
                                                                                
Chickens                                                                        
and Eggs                                                                        
                                                                                
National                                                                        
Agricultural                                                                    
Statistics                                                                      
Service                                                                         
                                                                                
USDA                                                                            
Washington, D.C.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Released August 22, 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.                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  July Egg Production Up Slightly                               
                                                                                
U.S. egg production totaled 6.45 billion during July 1997, up slightly from     
the 6.44 billion produced in 1996.  Production included 5.40 billion table      
eggs and 1.05 billion hatching eggs, of which 989 million were broiler-type     
and 58.0 million were egg-type.  The total number of layers during July 1997    
averaged 299 million, up 1 percent from the average number of layers during     
July 1996.  July egg production per 100 layers was 2,155 eggs, compared with    
2,180 in July 1996.                                                             
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Pou 1-1 (8-97)                                                                  
All layers in the U.S. on August 1, 1997, totaled 300 million, up 1 percent     
from a year ago.  The 300 million layers consisted of 243 million layers        
producing table or commercial type eggs, 54.2 million layers producing          
broiler-type hatching eggs, and 2.46 million layers producing egg-type          
hatching eggs.  Rate of lay per day on August 1, 1997, averaged 69.6 eggs per   
100 layers, down 1 percent from the 70.2 a year ago.                            
                                                                                
Laying flocks in the 30 major egg production States produced 6.11 billion eggs  
during July, up fractionally from July 1996.  The average number of layers      
during July, at 284 million, was up 1 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 2 Percent                            
                                                                                
Egg-type chicks hatched during July totaled 34.0 million, up 2 percent from     
July 1996.  Eggs in incubators totaled 28.1 million on August 1, 1997, down     
3 percent from a year ago.                                                      
                                                                                
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply        
flocks by leading breeders totaled 199,000 during July 1997, down 25 percent    
from the 266,000 of July 1996.                                                  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                     Broiler Hatch Up 4 Percent                                 
                                                                                
The July 1997 hatch of broiler-type chicks, at 709 million, was up 4 percent    
from July of the previous year.  There were 589 million eggs in incubators on   
August 1, 1997, up 3 percent from a year earlier.                               
                                                                                
Leading breeders placed 7.33 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future      
domestic hatchery supply flocks during July 1997, up 22 percent from July       
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           299,153     
Aug      :     290,321          288,359           296,785                       
Sep      :     293,381          290,337           297,696                       
Oct      :     295,172          292,516           299,196                       
Nov      :     297,134          296,724           301,604                       
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  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      6,447      5,457      5,400         983       1,047   
Aug        :   6,447                 5,465                    982               
Sep        :   6,235                 5,297                    938               
Oct        :   6,495                 5,539                    956               
Nov        :   6,409                 5,471                    938               
During Year:  76,148     51,260     64,572     43,262      11,576       7,998   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  December preceding year.                                                    
                                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
               and Forced Molt, United States, July-August 1996-97              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :  1996 1/   :  1997 2/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Jul                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  295,349      299,153        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  243,171      243,052        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,178       56,101        108     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,605       53,602        108     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,573        2,499         97     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Jul  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,180        2,155         99     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,244        2,222         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,884        1,866         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,863        1,845         99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,293        2,321        101     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Jul       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,440        6,447        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,457        5,400         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      983        1,047        107     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      924          989        107     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       59           58         98     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Aug 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  296,612      299,627        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  244,521      242,937         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   52,091       56,690        109     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   49,591       54,228        109     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,500        2,462         98     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Aug 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     70.2         69.6         99     
    Table Egg Type                       :     72.2         71.9        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     60.9         59.8         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     60.2         59.1         98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     74.5         75.7        102     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Aug 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.7          3.5         74     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     22.0         21.9        100     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
2/  Preliminary.                                                                
           Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type,          
              and Forced Molt, United States, June-July 1996-97 1/              
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Jun              (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 293,915      299,427         102     
    Table Egg Type                       : 241,303      243,530         101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,612       55,897         106     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,955       53,281         107     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,657        2,616          98     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Jun (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :   2,099        2,092         100     
    Table Egg Type                       :   2,159        2,156         100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   1,825        1,816         100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   1,804        1,798         100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,221        2,179          98     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Jun       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :   6,169        6,265         102     
    Table Egg Type                       :   5,209        5,250         101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     960        1,015         106     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     901          958         106     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      59           57          97     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Jul 1                (1,000)   :                                      
  All Layers                             : 294,044      298,641         102     
    Table Egg Type                       : 241,803      243,146         101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :  52,241       55,495         106     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :  49,605       52,963         107     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :   2,636        2,532          96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jul 1   (Number)  :                                      
  All Layers                             :      70.3         69.4        99     
    Table Egg Type                       :      72.5         71.5        99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      60.5         60.6       100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      59.8         59.8       100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :      72.8         76.8       105     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers on Jul 1              :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :       4.0          4.8       120     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :      22.9         21.1        92     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
     Eggs and Layers:  Layers on Hand and Eggs Produced by Type, and Forced     
               Molt, June-July, 30 Selected States, 1996-97 1/ 2/               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Jun                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  277,761      283,779        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  228,856      231,639        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,905       52,140        107     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,333       49,626        107     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,572        2,514         98     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Jun  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,100        2,092        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,158        2,154        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,826        1,816         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,804        1,797        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,216        2,188         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Jun       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    5,832        5,937        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :    4,939        4,990        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      893          947        106     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      836          892        107     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       57           55         96     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Jul 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  277,862      283,060        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  229,378      231,345        101     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,484       51,715        107     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   45,927       49,271        107     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,557        2,444         96     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Jul 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     70.4         69.4         99     
    Table Egg Type                       :     72.5         71.4         98     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     60.6         60.6        100     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     59.9         59.8        100     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     72.5         77.3        107     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers on Jul 1              :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.0          4.9        123     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     23.1         21.1         91     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Jun           (1,000) :   17,144       15,346         90     
                                         :                                      
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,        :                                      
 Composted or Disappeared For Any Reason :                                      
 During Jun                       (1,000):    3,109        3,320        107     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Jul 1                   (1,000) :   72,652       77,017        106     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Jun  3/     (1,000) :   21,170       17,235         81     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, July-August, 1996-97 1/               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :  1996 2/   :  1997 3/   :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :                                      
Layers During Jul                (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  279,294      283,586        102     
    Table Egg Type                       :  230,800      231,287        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,494       52,299        108     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,010       49,891        108     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,484        2,408         97     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers During Jul  (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    2,183        2,155         99     
    Table Egg Type                       :    2,246        2,220         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :    1,883        1,868         99     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :    1,860        1,846         99     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,295        2,326        101     
                                         :                                      
Eggs Produced During Jul       (Million) :                                      
  All Layers                             :    6,096        6,112        100     
    Table Egg Type                       :    5,183        5,135         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :      913          977        107     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :      856          921        108     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :       57           56         98     
                                         :                                      
Layers on Aug 1                  (1,000) :                                      
  All Layers                             :  280,696      284,086        101     
    Table Egg Type                       :  232,212      231,215        100     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :   48,484       52,871        109     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :   46,082       50,502        110     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :    2,402        2,369         99     
                                         :                                      
Eggs per 100 Layers on Aug 1    (Number) :                                      
  All Layers                             :     70.3         69.7         99     
    Table Egg Type                       :     72.3         71.9         99     
    Hatching Egg Type                    :     60.9         59.8         98     
      Broiler-Type Hatching              :     60.2         59.1         98     
      Egg-Type Hatching                  :     74.7         75.5        101     
                                         :                                      
Forced Molt Layers, Aug 1                :                                      
  Percent Being Molted                   :      4.7          3.5         74     
  Percent with Molt Completed            :     22.2         21.9         99     
                                         :                                      
Layers Sold During Jul           (1,000) :   16,381       13,806         84     
                                         :                                      
Layers Rendered, Died, Destroyed,        :                                      
 Composted or Disappeared For Any Reason :                                      
 During Jul                      (1,000) :    2,949        3,961        134     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Less Than 20 Weeks               :                                      
 of Age, Aug 1                   (1,000) :   71,448       77,269        108     
                                         :                                      
Pullets Added During Jul 4/       (1,000):   18,851       19,033        101     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 June 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         :    3,894       4,055     10,367    11,093     1,929       1,902    
AR         :    5,136       4,116     14,788    14,135     1,880       1,825    
CA         :   23,967      24,295     24,521    24,926     2,161       2,142    
CO         :    2,617       2,601      3,178     3,156     2,077       2,123    
CT         :    3,432       3,258      3,567     3,393     2,187       2,151    
FL         :    8,216       7,854      8,863     8,516     2,042       2,020    
GA         :   10,104      10,699     18,062    19,449     2,021       2,010    
HI         :      707         702        738       725     1,929       1,956    
IL         :    3,051       2,986      3,250     3,136     2,308       2,041    
IN         :   19,952      20,357     21,057    21,241     2,170       2,184    
IA         :   18,133      20,742     18,983    21,680     2,176       2,200    
ME         :    4,859       4,862      5,008     4,977     2,416       2,391    
MD         :    3,139       2,947      3,639     3,410     2,116       2,141    
MI         :    4,558       4,803      4,810     5,046     2,190       2,082    
MN         :   11,105      10,700     11,933    11,495     2,112       2,062    
MS         :    2,276       1,824      6,623     6,544     1,948       1,925    
MO         :    5,388       5,313      6,553     6,529     1,999       2,006    
NE         :    8,903       9,303      9,053     9,453     2,046       2,157    
NY         :    3,504       3,232      3,807     3,433     2,233       2,243    
NC         :    5,347       4,708     12,707    12,710     1,873       1,873    
OH         :   23,741      24,792     24,201    25,378     2,182       2,199    
OK         :    1,958       1,570      3,868     3,525     1,965       1,957    
OR         :    2,415       2,841      2,607     3,023     2,340       2,216    
PA         :   19,230      19,390     20,538    20,663     2,196       2,221    
SC         :    3,665       3,642      4,675     4,691     2,053       2,132    
SD         :    1,905       1,748      2,118     2,020     2,196       2,193    
TX         :   12,481      13,387     15,650    16,818     2,045       2,039    
VA         :    1,737       1,572      3,961     3,614     1,969       1,826    
WA         :    5,002       4,931      5,242     5,297     2,270       2,190    
WI         :    2,900       3,060      3,394     3,703     2,239       2,160    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  223,322     226,290    277,761   283,779     2,100       2,092    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,161      10,824     16,154    15,648     2,080       2,090    
           :                                                                    
US         :  234,483     237,114    293,915   299,427     2,099       2,092    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 July 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         :    3,878       3,986     10,349    10,853     2,029       1,963    
AR         :    5,033       4,140     14,431    14,266     1,933       1,837    
CA         :   24,260      24,629     24,810    25,845     2,197       2,186    
CO         :    2,633       2,728      3,163     3,268     2,181       2,234    
CT         :    3,479       3,180      3,612     3,319     2,298       2,290    
FL         :    8,169       7,962      8,786     8,617     2,197       2,112    
GA         :   10,453      10,859     18,447    19,568     2,103       2,090    
HI         :      706         685        736       708     1,953       2,015    
IL         :    3,024       2,684      3,225     2,840     2,357       2,183    
IN         :   20,225      20,248     21,329    21,108     2,246       2,293    
IA         :   18,619      20,268     19,459    21,186     2,261       2,214    
ME         :    4,886       4,829      5,027     4,943     2,407       2,468    
MD         :    2,998       2,881      3,470     3,317     2,248       2,171    
MI         :    4,471       4,743      4,706     4,980     2,300       2,241    
MN         :   11,385      10,715     12,223    11,533     2,184       2,116    
MS         :    2,237       1,851      6,617     6,603     2,010       1,984    
MO         :    5,583       5,487      6,703     6,659     2,104       2,178    
NE         :    9,092       9,318      9,242     9,468     2,148       2,167    
NY         :    3,357       3,211      3,635     3,402     2,283       2,352    
NC         :    5,403       4,530     12,680    12,477     1,940       1,916    
OH         :   23,865      24,596     24,326    25,152     2,302       2,242    
OK         :    1,915       1,625      3,875     3,575     1,987       1,986    
OR         :    2,462       2,826      2,646     3,000     2,457       2,267    
PA         :   19,355      19,420     20,640    20,675     2,277       2,268    
SC         :    3,589       3,742      4,598     4,779     2,175       2,176    
SD         :    1,870       1,748      2,080     2,023     2,362       2,173    
TX         :   12,404      13,411     15,549    16,737     2,116       2,127    
VA         :    1,928       1,508      4,189     3,550     2,172       1,887    
WA         :    5,034       4,861      5,273     5,232     2,352       2,294    
WI         :    2,995       3,264      3,468     3,903     2,278       2,332    
           :                                                                    
30 Sts     :  225,308     225,935    279,294   283,586     2,183       2,155    
           :                                                                    
Oth Sts 3/ :   11,075      10,701     16,055    15,567     2,136       2,146    
           :                                                                    
US         :  236,383     236,636    295,349   299,153     2,180       2,155    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,              
                                 June 1996-97 1/                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    200        211         86         91       114        120   
AR             :    278        258        105         79       173        179   
CA             :    530        534                                              
CO             :     66         67                                              
CT             :     78         73                                              
FL             :    181        172        169        160        12         12   
GA             :    365        391        216        228       149        163   
HI             :     14         14         14         14         0          0   
IL             :     75         64         74         63         1          1   
IN             :    457        464        447        454        10         10   
IA             :    413        477                                              
ME             :    121        119                                              
MD             :     77         73         70         66         7          7   
MI             :    105        105                                              
MN             :    252        237        242        227        10         10   
MS             :    129        126         49         40        80         86   
MO             :    131        131                                              
NE             :    185        204        185        204         0          0   
NY             :     85         77                                              
NC             :    238        238        115        100       123        138   
OH             :    528        558                                              
OK             :     76         69         46         38        30         31   
OR             :     61         67         59         65         2          2   
PA             :    451        459        435        444        16         15   
SC             :     96        100         78         81        18         19   
SD             :     47         44         47         44         0          0   
TX             :    320        343                                              
VA             :     78         66         38         30        40         36   
WA             :    119        116                                              
WI             :     76         80                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  5,832      5,937      4,939      4,990       893        947   
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    337        328        270        260        67         68   
               :                                                                
US             :  6,169      6,265      5,209      5,250       960      1,015   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,              
                                 July 1996-97 1/                                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :  Total Production   :    Table Eggs 2/    :  Hatching Eggs 2/  
     State     :----------------------------------------------------------------
               :   1996   :   1997   :   1996   :   1997   :  1996   :   1997   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               :                          Million Eggs                          
               :                                                                
AL             :    210        213         92         91       118        122   
AR             :    279        262        107         79       172        183   
CA             :    545        565                                              
CO             :     69         73                                              
CT             :     83         76                                              
FL             :    193        182        181        170        12         12   
GA             :    388        409        234        241       154        168   
HI             :     14         14         14         14         0          0   
IL             :     76         62         75         60         1          2   
IN             :    479        484        469        473        10         11   
IA             :    440        469                                              
ME             :    121        122                                              
MD             :     78         72         70         65         8          7   
MI             :    108        111                                              
MN             :    267        244        257        233        10         11   
MS             :    133        131         50         43        83         88   
MO             :    141        145                                              
NE             :    199        205        199        205         0          0   
NY             :     83         80                                              
NC             :    246        239        121         99       125        140   
OH             :    560        564                                              
OK             :     77         71         46         39        31         32   
OR             :     65         68         63         67         2          1   
PA             :    470        469        455        454        15         15   
SC             :    100        104         82         85        18         19   
SD             :     49         44         49         44         0          0   
TX             :    329        356                                              
VA             :     91         67         45         31        46         36   
WA             :    124        120                                              
WI             :     79         91                                              
               :                                                                
30 Sts         :  6,096      6,112      5,183      5,135       913        977   
               :                                                                
Oth Sts 3/     :    344        335        274        265        70         70   
               :                                                                
US             :  6,440      6,447      5,457      5,400       983      1,047   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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                                22.3                         
Oct     :       4.8                                23.0                         
Nov     :       3.1                                23.9                         
Dec     :       2.1                                23.5                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
                  Forced Molt:  Percent of All Layers by State                  
                      and United States, August 1996-97 1/                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :       Percent Being Molted        :   Percent with Molt Completed   
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :      1996       :      1997       :      1996      :      1997      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                               Percent                               
          :                                                                     
AL        :       2.5               3.0              15.5             14.0      
AR        :       3.0               3.0               8.5              9.5      
CA        :       6.5              10.5              41.0             36.0      
CO        :       5.5               2.0              24.0             20.5      
CT        :        .0                .0              12.5              9.0      
FL        :      17.0               2.0              40.0             31.5      
GA        :       5.0               1.5              22.0             22.5      
HI        :       6.5               7.5              54.0             55.0      
IL        :       6.5               4.0              21.5             31.0      
IN        :       4.5               1.0              19.5             20.5      
IA        :       7.0               2.0              27.5             23.5      
ME        :        .0                .0               1.5              1.0      
MD        :       7.0              10.5              37.5             41.5      
MI        :       1.5               3.5              13.5             24.5      
MN        :       5.0               3.5              24.5             36.5      
MS        :       2.5               1.0              15.0             13.5      
MO        :       2.5               1.5              24.5             28.0      
NE        :       5.5               8.5              31.0             23.5      
NY        :       3.0                .5               6.5              2.0      
NC        :       2.0               3.0              16.0             11.5      
OH        :       3.5               3.0               8.5             12.5      
OK        :       4.0               1.5              10.5              9.0      
OR        :       2.5               3.0              40.5             42.0      
PA        :       3.5               3.5              21.5             13.5      
SC        :       5.0               2.5              29.0             25.5      
SD        :      17.0                .5              42.5             58.0      
TX        :       3.5               3.5              19.5             27.0      
VA        :       1.0               3.0              10.5             11.0      
WA        :       5.0               6.5              45.5             40.0      
WI        :       5.5                .5              20.0             27.5      
          :                                                                     
30 Sts    :       4.7               3.5              22.2             21.9      
          :                                                                     
Oth Sts 2/:       4.3               2.9              18.2             21.9      
          :                                                                     
US        :       4.7               3.5              22.0             21.9      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  As of first of month.                                                       
2/  Estimates for individual States are not available.                          
            Hatchery Production:  Eggs in Incubators, Chicks Hatched,           
           and Placements by Type, United States, July-August 1996-97           
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                   Item                  :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                                         :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         : -------- 1,000 -------     Percent   
                                         :                                      
Egg-Type                                 :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Aug 1            :    28,879       28,146        97     
  Chicks Hatched During Jul              :    33,331       33,954       102     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Jul            :   245,266      254,843       104     
  Pullets Hatched During Jun for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :       266          199        75     
    7-18 Month Earlier  1/               :     2,941        2,940       100     
                                         :                                      
Broiler-Type                             :                                      
  Eggs in Incubators on Aug 1            :   570,953      588,603       103     
  Chicks Hatched During Jul              :   679,766      709,150       104     
  Chicks Hatched Jan thru Jul            : 4,748,739    4,871,161       103     
  Pullets Hatched During Jun for Intended:                                      
   Placements in Hatchery Supply Flocks  :     6,029        7,332       122     
    7-15 Months Earlier 2/               :    56,585       57,072       101     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Jan 1996 through Dec 1996.              
2/  1997 includes pullet chicks hatched Apr 1996 through Dec 1996.              
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
           Egg-Type Eggs in Incubators:  By Region and United States,           
                                August 1, 1996-97                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :            :            :    1997    
                Geographic               :    1996    :    1997    :  as % of   
                 Division                :            :            :    1996    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         :   ------ 1,000 ------      Percent   
                                         :                                      
North Atlantic                           :    4,824        5,231        108     
E North Central                          :    8,449        7,391         87     
W North Central                          :    4,608        5,112        111     
South Atlantic                           :    4,584        4,272         93     
South Central                            :    3,273        3,153         96     
West                                     :    3,141        2,987         95     
                                         :                                      
US                                       :   28,879       28,146         97     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                
Regional Listing:                                                               
North Atlantic  = CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT.                           
E North Central = IL, IN, MI, OH, WI.                                           
W North Central = IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD.                                   
South Atlantic  = DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV.                               
South Central   = AL, AR, KY, LA, MS, OK, TN, TX.                               
West            = AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY.           
              Egg-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State and United States,             
                                  July 1996-97                                  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :              July              :             Jan-Jul             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997   
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :  ----- 1,000 -----    Percent    ------ 1,000 ------    Percent  
             :                                                                  
AR           :     898        807       90        6,448       5,757       89    
FL           :     745      1,128      151        7,621       8,487      111    
GA           :   1,960      1,960      100       14,623      14,622      100    
IN           :   6,371      6,270       98       50,986      50,941      100    
IA           :   4,353      4,823      111       24,226      27,672      114    
KS           :     213        285      134        1,704       1,986      117    
MN           :   1,991      1,794       90       14,666      14,079       96    
MO           :     382        402      105        2,382       2,721      114    
PA           :   4,540      4,670      103       27,922      34,759      124    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts  1/  :  11,878     11,815       99       94,688      93,819       99    
             :                                                                  
US           :  33,331     33,954      102      245,266     254,843      104    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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                    269,764    277,659                   
Sep   : 33,586   32,070                    303,350    309,729                   
Oct   : 33,383   33,065                    336,733    342,794                   
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               
Apr      :   317      252     316      125      2,920       2,946               
May      :   193      291     268       92      2,951       2,870               
Jun      :   234      282     256       91      2,835       2,956               
Jul      :   235      266     199       75      2,941       2,940               
Aug      :   163      186                       2,924       2,929               
Sep      :   292      231                       2,911       2,910               
Oct      :   309      233                       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 July 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Jan 1996 through Dec  
    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, August 1, 1996-97                      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :                   :                   :        1997        
     Geographic    :       1996        :       1997        :      as % of       
      Division     :                   :                   :        1996        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   :      ---------- 1,000 ----------             Percent       
                   :                                                            
North Atlantic     :       11,809              12,609               107         
E North Central    :        8,197               7,737                94         
W North Central    :       21,798              22,201               102         
South Atlantic     :      225,900             229,032               101         
South Central      :      281,799             295,357               105         
West               :       21,450              21,667               101         
                   :                                                            
US                 :      570,953             588,603               103         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Broiler-Type Chicks Hatched:  By State                     
                         and United States, July 1996-97                        
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :              July              :             Jan-Jul             
             :------------------------------------------------------------------
    State    :          :          :   1997   :          :           :   1997   
             :   1996   :   1997   : as % of  :   1996   :   1997    : as % of  
             :          :          :   1996   :          :           :   1996   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 -----    Percent   ------- 1,000 -------   Percent  
             :                                                                  
AL           :  88,418     92,756      105       613,092     638,428     104    
AR           : 104,117    106,277      102       733,605     743,079     101    
DE           :  16,122     16,807      104       112,593     114,645     102    
FL           :  10,352      9,431       91        71,456      66,403      93    
GA           : 103,548    109,436      106       714,622     738,495     103    
MD           :  29,994     31,279      104       215,824     214,867     100    
MS           :  58,397     62,892      108       396,694     434,914     110    
NC           :  62,836     62,098       99       438,239     428,684      98    
PA           :  12,294     12,958      105        80,801      88,467     109    
SC           :  15,539     15,587      100       106,247     107,049     101    
TX           :  40,668     46,168      114       287,271     305,931     106    
VA           :  23,077     24,224      105       162,754     165,811     102    
CA TN & WV   :  34,064     34,658      102       240,493     243,187     101    
             :                                                                  
15 Sts 1/    : 599,426    624,571      104     4,173,691   4,289,960     103    
             :                                                                  
OR & WA      :   5,956      6,190      104        39,807      42,377     106    
             :                                                                  
Oth Sts 2/   :  74,384     78,389      105       535,241     538,824     101    
             :                                                                  
US           : 679,766    709,150      104     4,748,739   4,871,161     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                  5,316,219 5,439,577                   
Sep    :638,882  658,976                  5,955,101 6,098,553                   
Oct    :655,036  652,232                  6,610,137 6,750,785                   
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               
Apr      :  6,320    6,746   6,122      91     55,053      55,892               
May      :  6,135    6,776   7,056     104     55,356      56,626               
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                     55,752      56,719               
Sep      :  6,288    6,166                     55,533      55,856               
Oct      :  6,013    6,221                     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                                                      
Sep      :  7,730    7,771                                                      
Oct      :  7,301    7,892                                                      
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 Jul 1997, includes breeder pullet chicks hatched Apr 1996 through Dec   
    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         
September 22, 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.                                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
                        ACCESS TO REPORTS!!                                     
                                                                                
                                                                                
For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data       
products, and services:                                                         
                                                                                
                          INTERNET ACCESS                                       
                                                                                
All NASS reports are available free of charge on the worldwide Internet.  For   
access, connect to the Internet and go to the NASS Home Page at:                
http://www.usda.gov/nass/.  Select "Today's Reports" or Publications and        
then Reports by Calendar or Publications and then Search, by Title or Subject.  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                        E-MAIL SUBSCRIPTION                                     
                                                                                
All NASS reports are available by subscription free of charge direct to your    
e-mail address.  Send an e-mail message to:                                     
usda-reports@usda.mannlib.cornell.edu.  In the body of the message type the     
word:  list.                                                                    
                                                                                
                           AUTOFAX ACCESS                                       
                                                                                
NASSFax service is available for some reports from your fax machine.  Please    
call 202-720-2000, using the handset attached to your fax.  Respond to the      
voice prompts.  Document 0411 is a list of available reports.                   
                                                                                
                 PRINTED REPORTS OR DATA PRODUCTS                               
                                                                                
 CALL OUR TOLL-FREE ORDER DESK:   800-999-6779 (U.S. and Canada)                
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                            ASSISTANCE                                          
                                                                                
For assistance with general agricultural statistics or further information      
about NASS or its products or services, contact the Agricultural Statistics     
Hotline at 800-727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail:                  
nass@nass.usda.gov.                                                             
                                                                                
                 USDA to Hold Data Users Meeting                                
                      Holiday Inn Mart Plaza                                    
                        Chicago, Illinois                                       
                         October 20, 1997                                       
                                                                                
The National Agricultural Statistics Service will                               
be organizing an open forum for Data Users.  The                                
purpose will be to provide updates on pending                                   
changes in the USDA statistical and information                                 
programs including the status of the 1997 Census of                             
Agriculture, and to seek comments and input from                                
data users.  Other agencies to be represented will                              
include the Agricultural Marketing Service, the                                 
Economic Research Service, the Foreign Agricultural                             
Service, and the World Agricultural Outlook Board.                              
                                                                                
                                                                                
For registration details, see the NASS home page                                
http://www.usda.gov/nass/ or contact Fred Vogel                                 
(NASS) (202) 720-3896 or fvogel@nass.usda.gov