News

Broiler placements stay 2% ahead of last year

Broiler placements continue to rise year-over-year as poultry operations expand to meet demand.

The USDA says 198.107 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat production, down 529,000 on the week, but up 3% on the year.

Those birds will start heading to market in mid-June.

Approaching the halfway point of 2026, cumulative placements are 2% ahead of 2025.

255.513 million eggs were set into incubators last week, 588,000 lower than the previous week, but 2% higher than a year ago, with average hatchability holding at 79.2%.

The USDA’s updated annual broiler production projection is out June 11^th.

Comparisons for Brownfield states:

Arkansas: Sets: 26.837 million eggs, compared to 27.086 million the week before; Placements: 22.083 million head, compared to 22.583 million the prior week

Kentucky: Sets: 8.083 million eggs, compared to 8.197 million the week before; Placements: 5.855 million head, compared to 6.019 million the prior week

Missouri: Sets: 9.185 million eggs, unchanged from the week before; Placements: 5.432 million head, compared to 6.285 million the prior week

California/Tennessee/West Virginia: Sets: 15.881 million eggs, compared to 16.188 million the week before; Placements: 13.818 million head, compared to 14.023 million the prior week