Poultry sector took a 23% loss in worth
21 December 2023
3 minute learn
Mississippi’s poultry took an estimated 23% loss in worth in 2023, based on Mississippi State College extension companies. Although manufacturing was robust, a failure to satisfy the earlier 12 months’s report excessive costs was chargeable for the hit.
Poultry generated an estimated $3.1 billion to Mississippi agriculture in 2023, down from the $3.9 billion generated in 2022. Eggs had the bigger decline, dropping 30% to $202 million, whereas broilers dropped 22% to $2.9 billion.
With this farm gate worth, poultry retains its high spot in Mississippi agriculture, above soybeans at $1.6 billion and forestry at $1.5 billion. The US Division of Agriculture (USDA) will launch closing ag values subsequent April.
Josh Maples, agricultural economist with the Mississippi State College Extension Service, mentioned the decreased worth doesn’t imply 2023 was a nasty 12 months.
“For context, the 2023 poultry worth of manufacturing is 17.5 % greater than the 2021 worth of manufacturing,” Maples mentioned. “The present USDA forecast for broiler costs is to be slightly extra secure and comparable in 2024 as they’ve been in 2023.”
Mississippi producers grew an estimated 4.3 billion kilos of broilers in 2023, sustaining a No. 6 rating within the nation for kilos produced.
The state is thirteenth nationally in egg manufacturing, and 2023’s lower in egg worth was additionally attributable to exceptionally excessive egg costs in 2022.
“Many shoppers doubtless keep in mind the very excessive egg costs in the course of the 2022 Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays,” Maples mentioned. “Costs retreated to extra regular ranges all through 2023 and are anticipated to be comparable in 2024.”
Jonathan Moon, Extension poultry specialist, mentioned illness battles prompted a efficiency loss. The business had an ongoing battle with extremely pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, but in addition infectious laryngotracheitis, or ILT. ILT is a extremely contagious respiratory virus that impacts mature chickens and pheasants, and the very best technique of stopping the unfold is thru good biosecurity practices and correct vaccinations.
“The chance of HPAI stays as excessive because it has ever been,” Moon mentioned. “If we now have a constructive case, it is going to trigger losses in export markets.”
Moon mentioned when a state encounters an HPAI outbreak in a business poultry flock, exports are on maintain till the state can meet the requirements to be declared HPAI-free once more. The affected farm is quarantined, and the affected flock is depopulated and disposed, whereas the premises are cleaned and sanitized to cross inspection.
“HPAI testing and surveillance is carried out inside the surrounding space,” Moon mentioned. “When all the standards have been met and the state can self-declare themselves HPAI-free, USDA can submit this to the worldwide commerce companions and hopefully exports will then proceed.”
This stage can take months, and if one other farm experiences an HPAI outbreak, the method is prolonged. Mississippi had just one HPAI outbreak on a business poultry farm in 2023.
Moon mentioned 2023 was a really poor 12 months for publicly traded poultry corporations, which reported main losses this 12 months. The approaching 12 months could also be as troublesome.
“The excessive worth of feed substances early within the 12 months and the low market worth can be what we’re nonetheless making an attempt to beat from the tip of 2023 and lengthening into 2024,” Moon mentioned.
Labor shortages challenged the business in 2023, and Moon mentioned there stays a giant alternative for a lot of staffing positions, notably expert positions like drivers, mechanics, electricians, plumbers and welders.
2023 marks the twenty ninth straight 12 months that poultry has topped the listing of agricultural commodities in Mississippi.
