Egg Production Still Low in South Dakota after Bird Flu

MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) — Egg production in South Dakota continues to suffer as the state's largest producer works to recover from last spring's outbreak of deadly bird flu virus.

Data from the federal Agriculture Department show that chickens in South Dakota produced 36 million eggs in September, down from 65 million in September 2014. There were about 1.6 million egg-laying birds in the state last month, compared to 2.6 million at the same time last year.

Flandreau-based Dakota Layers killed off its entire flock of 1.3 million hens after the virus hit in May. Vice President Jason Ramsdell tells The Daily Republic newspaper (http://bit.ly/1WjnwHQ ) that the facility is restocking but it will take time.

Canistota chicken farmer Tom Neuberger says the virus didn't affect smaller, free-range chicken farms in South Dakota.

Source: Egg Production Still Low in South Dakota after Bird Flu