Turkey Hatchery Below Last Year

WASHINGTON - Sep 14/04 - SNS -- Turkey hatchery activity in the United States remains below year earlier levels, starting September 2% fewer poults placed and a slight decline in the number of eggs in incubators.

The USDA says turkey eggs in incubators on September 1, 2004, in the United States totaled 28.3 million, down slightly from September 1 a year ago. Eggs in incubators were 7% below the August 2004 total of 30.6 million eggs.

Regional changes from the previous year were: East North Central down 3% at 4,478,000 eggs; West North Central down 2% at 11,147,000; North and South Atlantic up 3% to 8,539,000; South Central up 4% at 2,301,000; and West down 5% at just 1,834,000 eggs in incubators.

The 23.7 million poults placed during August 2004 in the United States were down 2% from the number placed during the same month a year ago. Placements were down 6% from the July 2004 total of 25.3 million.

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