Poultry production was up sharply in April.

The USDA says 4.426 billion pounds of poultry were certified wholesome in April 2024, up 10% from April 2023. That big year-to-year rise was due to a much faster slaughter pace and heavier weights.

Chicken production was 3.963 billion pounds, 10% higher, and turkey production was 450.655 million pounds, up 5%. The chicken slaughter was 802.69 million head, an increase of 9%, with the total live weight higher and the average live weights mostly up, the exception was lightweight mature chickens.

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