By Blake Jackson
Wisconsin egg production bounced back in December 2023, according to the latest USDA report. Production reached 209 million eggs, a 42% increase from December 2022. This increase comes after Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) caused egg production numbers to plummet in 2022. As you can see in the graph, December 2023's production is even higher than December 2021's numbers.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service chickens and eggs report says that U.S. egg production totaled 9.45 billion during December 2023, up 3% from the previous year.
In Wisconsin, the average number of hens laying on hand during December was 7.81 million, a 36% increase from December 2022. The number of eggs produced per 100 hens in December was 2,681, up 5% from December 2022.
Nationally, the total number of laying hens in the U.S. on January 1, 2024, was 379 million, up 1% from the previous year. The rate of lay per day averaged 79.3 eggs per 100 hens, up 2% from January 1, 2023.
The increase in egg production is good news for consumers, as it could help to stabilize egg prices. However, it is important to note that HPAI is still a threat to the poultry industry, and future outbreaks could cause egg production to decline again.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-evgenii-leontev
Categories: Wisconsin, Livestock, Poultry