Consumers not likely to feel pinch of poultry shortage

From CNN Correspondent Dan Ronan

BALDWIN, Georgia (CNN) -- Violent weather in Arkansas and Texas, as well as flooding in North Carolina means poultry production may be cut by as many as 30 million birds this year.

While that may seem like a large amount, it's actually less than 1 percent of the total number of chickens expected to be produced this year. Still, it's the worst loss for poultry farmers in 11 years.

The concern -- most of the damage was sustained by farms that produced birds for Tyson Foods, the nation's largest poultry supplier to grocery stores.

But consumers probably won't notice a big impact.

This certainly could put some upward pressure on wholesale prices across the board," said Richard Lobb of the National Chicken Council. "That may or may not be reflected in the consumer prices."

Even with the loss, a shortage of chicken is not expected.

Georgia, where chickens are a $12 billion a year business, is the nation's top poultry producing state.

The generally mild winter has convinced farmers there should be enough birds to offset the weather damage in other parts of the country.

Because of computerization and improved mechanical feeding and watering, most farmers say they're at least 10 percent more productive than just five years ago.

"The technology, the advancement and things in the poultry industry -- it's just unreal," said Bobby Joe Caudell of Caudell Farms in Baldwin. "The length of time it takes to grow a bird out has been shortened.

Caudell says because of increased productivity, he can now produce a fully grown bird in 49 days, seven fewer than 10 years ago.

National Chicken Council

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