Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 6/29/16


Poultry certified wholesome during May 2016 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 4.02 billion pounds, up 8 percent from the amount certified in May 2015.

May 2015 contained 21 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays. May 2016 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.

The April 2016 revised certified total at 3.84 billion pounds, was down 2 percent from April 2015. The April revision represented an increase of 7.68 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during May 2016 was 5.31 billion pounds, up 8 percent from 4.92 billion pounds a year ago.

Young chickens inspected totaled 4.60 billion pounds, up 7 percent from May 2015. Mature chickens, at 69.7 million pounds, were up 11 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 624 million pounds, up 15 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.7 million pounds, down 1 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during May 2016 averaged 6.18 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from May 2015. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.97 pounds per bird, up 2 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during May 2016 averaged 30.9 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from May 2015.

Ante-mortem condemnations during May 2016 totaled 12.4 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.23 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.22 percent a year earlier.

Post-mortem condemnations, at 41.8 million pounds, were 1.03 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.01 percent a year earlier.

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