Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 5/29/17



USDA reported a 4 percent decline in U.S. poultry production in April, a month that had one less weekday than the year ago month.

Poultry certified wholesome during April 2017 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.70 billion pounds, down 4 percent from the amount certified in April 2016.

The March 2017 revised certified total at 4.17 billion pounds, was up 2 percent from
March 2016. The March revision represented an increase of 719 thousand pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified. 

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during April 2017 was 4.88 billion pounds, down 4 percent from 5.07 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.26 billion pounds, down 3 percent from April 2016.

Mature chickens, at 61.9 million pounds, were down 8 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 544 million pounds, down 10 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.1 million pounds, down 9 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during April 2017 averaged 6.18 pounds per bird, down slightly from April 2016. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.84 pounds per bird, down slightly from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during April 2017 averaged 31.4 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from April 2016.

Ante-mortem condemnations during April 2017 totaled 11.5 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.24 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.24 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 36.5 million pounds, were 0.98 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.05 percent a year earlier.

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