WASHINGTON (RFD-TV) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) monthly Chickens and Eggs Report showed lower egg production in August as flock numbers continued to shrink.
Total U.S. output reached 8.89 billion eggs, down two percent from last year. Of that, 7.59 billion were table eggs and 1.30 billion were hatching eggs, including 1.19 billion broiler-type and 118 million egg-type.
The average number of layers in August was 364 million, one percent below a year ago, while production-per-100 layers fell one percent to 2,444 eggs.
As of September 1, the nation’s flock totaled 366 million layers, representing a one-percent decrease year-over-year. The flock included 301 million table egg layers, 59.9 million producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 4.65 million producing egg-type hatching eggs. The daily lay rate decreased to 78.6 eggs per 100 layers, also representing a one percent decline.
On the hatching side, egg-type chicks totaled 57.4 million in August, up five percent from last year, while broiler-type chicks reached 879 million, up slightly.
Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Texas remain the top five states in egg production.
Tony’s Farm-Level Takeaway: Smaller flocks and lower lay rates are pressuring table egg supplies, even as hatchery activity edges higher.
Tight beef cow supplies and steady demand point to continued record-level cull cow prices in 2026.
January 15, 2026 11:23 AM
·
RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports from Texas on the ongoing water dispute and its implications for U.S. farmers.
January 14, 2026 12:17 PM
·
A high-stakes legal case in a South Dakota federal court concerning misleading country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL), such as “Product of the USA,” on food products, will significantly impact U.S. agricultural policy for years to come.
January 14, 2026 09:00 AM
·
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today unveiled a bold plan to protect the nation’s prime farm and ranchland from the rapid spread of data centers.
January 13, 2026 03:36 PM
Brent Graves, auctioneer and mentor, shares his journey supporting youth in agriculture, livestock competitions, and how he is turning junior livestock auctions into a classroom for youth in agriculture.
January 13, 2026 02:43 PM
·
Larger grain stocks increase supply pressure, but strong fall disappearance — especially for corn and sorghum — suggests demand remains an important offset.
January 13, 2026 01:02 PM
·
