Turkey Hatchery Activity Slumps

WASHINGTON - May 13/04 - SNS -- Turkey hatchery activity registered a large decline from year earlier levels during March, led lower by the number of eggs in incubators, according to the latest USDA data.

Turkey eggs in incubators on May 1, 2004, in the United States totaled 29.7 million, down 7% from May 1 a year ago. Eggs in incubators were 2% below the April 2004 total of 30.4 million.

Regional changes from the previous year were: East North Central down 8% at 4,603,000 eggs, West North Central down 9% at 10,772,000, North and South Atlantic down 5% at 9,434,000, South Central down 8% at just 2,255,000, and West down 5% at 2,652,000 eggs in incubators.

The 24.7 million poults placed during April 2004 in the United States were down 1% from the number placed during the same month a year ago. Placements were up 2% from the March 2004 total of 24.2 million.

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