News

Poultry production slightly higher

U.S. poultry production was up modestly in July.

The USDA says 4.202 billion pounds of poultry were certified wholesome last month, 2% higher than July 2022, including 3.758 billion pounds of chicken, up 1%, and 432.261 million pounds of turkey, an increase of 10%.

Slaughter rates and average weights were slightly higher for chickens and sharply higher for turkeys. The chicken kill was 768.654 million head and all chickens averaged 6.47 pounds, while the turkey slaughter was 17.054 million head and all turkeys averaged 31.86 pounds.

Ante-mortem condemnations were 13.401 million pounds, 4% lower than last year or 0.24% of the preliminary live weight. Post-mortem condemnations were 24.098 million head, 3% higher, or 0.57% of monthly production.

The USDA’s next round of poultry production projections is out September 12^th.