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Poultry production a little larger than last year

 

U.S. turkey production is declining, at least partially because of avian influenza.

The USDA says that May 2015 poultry production was 3.731 billion pounds, slightly more than in May 2014, with chicken at 3.286 billion pounds, 1% above last year. However, turkey production was 434.047 million pounds, 8% below a year ago, with substantial year to year declines in Minnesota, Arkansas, and Virginia. The preliminary live weight of all poultry was 4.922 billion pounds, slightly less than a year ago.

The chicken slaughter came out at 715.159 million head, down 1%, and the turkey kill was 17.758 million head, down 8%.

The average live weight of all chickens was 6.11 pounds per bird, 3% heavier, and turkeys averaged 30.47 pounds, slightly smaller.

Ante-mortem condemnations were 11.002 million pounds, 0.22% of the preliminary live weight, and post-mortem condemnations were 38.217 million pounds, 1.01% of monthly production.

2015 U.S. poultry production is 18.939 billion pounds, 4% ahead of the 2014 pace.