News

January poultry production 2% higher

The USDA says poultry production during January was 4.279 billion pounds, up 2% on the year. Chicken made up most of the total at 3.756 billion pounds, an increase of 2%, with turkey at 510.521 million, slightly higher, and duck at 12.808 million pounds, down 1%. The preliminary live weight of all poultry was 5.655 billion pounds, also up 2% on the year.

The chicken slaughter was up 2% from January 2018 at 798.206 million head, cancelling out a 2% decline in turkey to 19.517 million and a 3% lower duck kill at 17.376 million pounds.

The average live weight of all chickens was slightly lighter at 6.26 pounds, but turkeys and ducks were heavier at 32.83 and 7.11 pounds, respectively.

Ante-mortem condemnations were 14.611 million pounds, down 3%, representing 0.26% of the preliminary live weight.

Post-mortem condemnations were 36.953 million pounds, 9% lower, or 0.86% of monthly production.

The USDA’s totals for 2018 are out April 1st.