March 18, 2014

US March turkey production slightly down

On March 1, US turkey eggs in incubators declined 1% to 26.0 million eggs, while for February 1, eggs in incubators decreased 3% to 26.9 million eggs, the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported.

Poults hatched during February were down 2% to 21.7 million. Compared to the January 1 total of 23.4 million, poults hatched were down 7%, NASS said.

During February, poults placed for meat production declined 1% from the total placed during the comparable year ago period, according to NASS. Net placements eased 4% from the January total of 22.1 million.