Once again, layer numbers for the month lag previous-year levels. On Sept. 1, U.S. layer numbers were 1 percent below year-earlier levels, USDA reports in the September Chicken and Eggs report. Eggs per 100 layers showed a 2 percent increase, however, thus showing a higher level of productivity.
Looking at the top-10 states, year-over-year layer numbers were higher in four states during August in flocks 30,000 and above.
Here’s how the top 10 stacked up: Iowa and Ohio, both up 1 percent; Indiana, down 4 percent; Pennsylvania, up 1 percent; California, up 4 percent; Texas, down 3 percent; Nebraska, down 11 percent; Florida, down 6 percent; Minnesota, down 7 percent; and Georgia, down 3 percent.
Michigan, the No. 11 state, could well be poised to join the top 10. During August, Michigan posted a year-over-year increase of 7 percent, a greater increase than any top-10 state.
