Source: MEATINGPLACE, 12/27/17


Poultry certified wholesome during November (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 4.01 billion pounds, up 3 percent from the amount certified in November 2016. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported this week.

The October revised certified total, at 4.32 billion pounds, was up 8 percent from October 2016. The October revision represented an increase of 738 thousand pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during November 2017 was 5.30 billion pounds, up 3 percent from 5.16 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.56 billion pounds, up 3 percent from November 2016. Mature chickens, at 69.5 million pounds, were up 1 percent from the previous year.

Turkey inspections totaled 646 million pounds, up 1 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 16.4 million pounds, up 4 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during November 2017 averaged 6.27 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from November 2016. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.23 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from a year ago.

Turkeys slaughtered during November 2017 averaged 29.5 pounds per bird, down slightly from November 2016.

Ante-mortem condemnations during November 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 37.2 million pounds, were 0.92 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.97 percent a year earlier.

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