News for the Egg Industry Worldwide

April 2007/Volume 112 Number 4

Iowa Egg Production Takes Break From Torrid Pace 1 Industry News 5 Missouri Farmers Earn Environmental Award 6 AEB Votes Against Funding Egg Nutrition Center 8 Market Demand Growing for Specialty Eggs 11 Emerging Egg Technology 12 To the Editor: Price Quotes Are

Favorable to the Midwest 13

Industry Calendar 15

Marketplace 15

www.WATTpoultry.com

Iowa Egg Production Takes

Break From Torrid Pace

By Edward Clark, Editor

Growth Rates in the Top Egg States

After boosting layer numbers 12% in 2005 to lead all states in both a percentage basis and actual bird numbers, Iowa growth moderated last year, with layer numbers up 6% from the preceding year, according to USDA/NASS data. Iowa wasn’t the only state that reined in growth in 2006. Just 10 states increased layer numbers last year, compared to 14 in 2005. U.S. layer numbers increased 1% last year, compared to no growth in 2005.

Leading the nation in percentage growth last year were Michigan and Illinois, both up 9%, but in actual bird growth, Iowa still eclipsed them both, adding 2. 8 million layers, compared to 383,000 growth in Illinois and 711,000 in Michigan. Other states posting growth last year were Utah and South Dakota, up 5%; Indiana, up 4%; Texas, up 4%; West Virginia, up 2%; Ohio and North Carolina, up 1%.

The top five egg producing states either increased layer numbers or had no change: Iowa layer numbers were up 6% and Ohio up 1% as mentioned; Pennsylvania, no change in layer numbers; Indiana, up 4%; and Texas, up 4% and moving ahead of California, which had no change.

The biggest percentage declines in layer numbers last year were in Idaho, down 26%, and New Jersey, down 13%.

Looking at eggs per layer, the top five in 2006 were Montana, 305; Wyoming,

60,000

50,000

2004

2005

2006

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

IA OH PA IN TX

The above chart shows how layer numbers have changed over the past three years in
the nation’s top five egg producing states. (Source: USDA/NASS)

300; Massachusetts, 289; Colorado, 288; and New Jersey and New York, tied at 286. The U.S. average is 263. Iowa came in at 268 and Ohio at 265.

Looking to 2007

In Michigan, this year’s growth will likely be “50% of last year,” says Mohamed Mousa, vice president of production for Herbruck’s Eggs and Egg

Products, Saranac, Mich. Herbruck’s was responsible for a good share of Michigan’s growth last year, he says, “and we’re winding down.” Last year’s growth was in traditional layers, although the company is adding some cage-free production in 2007.