increase in the number of layers, the use of new feeds, disease control, and 

 the introduction of mechanization of egg production from laying to packaging. 

 Productivity has increased from 217 eggs per layer in 1970 to 244 eggs in 

 1979. The number of layers and eggs produced by county, region, and State are 

 listed in Table 14. The Tampa area in Hillsborough County is the State's 

 leading egg producer. Cash receipts from egg sales were nearly $38.8 million 

 in current dollars and $19.6 million in real dollars, an increase of 56% since 

 1970. 



Southwest Florida's egg production is growing faster than that of the 

 State (Table 14). In 1970-79, the region's egg production (eggs per layer 

 increased from 217 to 244) grew about 64%, but the State's production grew 

 only 25.6%. The income from egg production was about 8.7% of the cash 

 receipts from the sale of all agricultural products. 



The real price per dozen of eggs received by farmers steadily dropped 

 from 1970 to 1979 at an annual rate of 3.3%, and real retail prices dropped 

 1.9%. The difference in the rate of change between farm and retail prices was 

 caused by a more rapid increase in productivity (technological change) at the 

 farm level than at the distribution, processing, and retail levels. When egg 

 prices drop, consumer demand for eggs tend to increase. 



Table 14. Egg production and retail prices for 1970, 1975, and 1979 (Florida 

 Crop and Livestock Reporting Service, Annual Poultry Summaries for 1970, 1975, 

 1979). 



Southwest Florida is a major producer of many of the State's vegetables. 

 Based on differences in soil, there are two areas of production. The northern 

 area, comprised of DeSoto, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sara- 

 sota Counties, is a major producer of tomatoes, celery, cabbage, cucumbers, 

 and bush and pole beans. The southern area (Charlotte, Collier, Lee, and 

 Monroe Counties) is a major producer of green peppers, tomatoes, sweetcorn, 

 cucumbers, and watermelons. 



Ill 



