Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 9/26/17


Poultry certified wholesome during August 2017 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled a record 4.36 billion pounds, up 3 percent from the amount certified in August 2016, according to USDA’s latest monthly Poultry Slaughter report.

The July 2017 revised certified total at 3.88 billion pounds, was up 3 percent from July 2016. The July revision represented an increase of 8.29 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

August 2016 and 2017 both contained 23 weekdays (including 0 holidays) and four Saturdays.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during August 2017 was a record 5.76 billion pounds, up 3 percent from 5.60 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled a record 4.99 billion pounds, up 3 percent from August 2016.

Mature chickens, at 77.0 million pounds, were down 6 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 678 million pounds, up 1 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 16.0 million pounds, down 3 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during August 2017 averaged 6.17 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from August 2016. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.33 pounds per bird, up 5 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during August 2017 averaged 30.4 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from August 2016.

Ante-mortem condemnations during August 2017 totaled 13.5 million pounds.

Condemnations were 0.23 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.26 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 39.3 million pounds, were 0.89 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.96 percent a year earlier.

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