Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 6/29/15


Poultry certified wholesome during May 2015 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.73 billion pounds, up slightly from the amount certified in May 2014, USDA reported in its monthly Poultry Slaughter report.

The April 2015 revised certified total at 3.90 billion pounds, was up 4 percent from April 2014. The April revision represented an increase of 4.17 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during May 2015 was 4.92 billion pounds, down slightly from 4.93 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.30 billion pounds, up 1 percent from May 2014. Mature chickens, at 62.8 million pounds, were down 13 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 541 million pounds, down 8 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.9 million pounds, down 1 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during May 2015 averaged 6.11 pounds per bird, up 2 percent from May 2014. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.87 pounds per bird, up 7 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during May 2015 averaged 30.5 pounds per bird, down slightly from May 2014.

Ante-mortem condemnations during May 2015 totaled 11 million pounds, 0.22 percent of the live weight inspected, unchanged from a year ago. Post-mortem condemnations, at 38.2 million pounds, were 1.01 percent of quantities inspected, also unchanged form a year earlier.

May 2014 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and five Saturdays.
May 2015 contained 21 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and five Saturdays.

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