Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 10/27/17


Poultry certified wholesome during September 2017 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.95 billion pounds, down 1 percent from the amount certified in September 2016.

September 2016 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
September 2017 contained 21 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays.

The August 2017 revised certified total at 4.37 billion pounds, was up 3 percent from August 2016. The August revision represented an increase of 5.75 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during      September 2017 was 5.22 billion pounds, down 1 percent from 5.29 billion pounds a year ago.

Young chickens inspected totaled 4.55 billion pounds, down 1 percent from September 2016. Mature chickens, at 66.6 million pounds, were down 9 percent from the previous year.

Turkey inspections totaled 585 million pounds, down 6 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.6 million pounds, down 6 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during September 2017 averaged a record 6.25 pounds per bird, up 2 percent from September 2016. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.33 pounds per bird, up 2 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during September 2017 averaged 30.7 pounds per bird, up slightly from September 2016.

Ante-mortem condemnations during September 2017 totaled 12.6 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 36.0 million pounds, were 0.90 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.95 percent a year earlier.

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