Sources said bloodmeal and meat and bonemeal prices were supported at midweek. However, values remained steady at previously set ranges. Most values were flat for the day, though active demand increased the bottom end of the ranges in several regions. 

For the week ending March 16, 2024, broiler slaughter is anticipated to be 163.321 million head, 0.61 percent, lower than 2023 and 0.33 percent lower from the previous week. Over the next six weeks, broiler slaughter is projected to average 162.509 million head per week, down 1.31 percent from 2023. (Fig. 1)

The Weekly Livestock, Poultry, and Grain market highlights from the USDA indicated year-to-date broiler slaughter as of March 11 was at 1.45 billion head, 3.3 percent below 2023 for the comparable time. Year-to-date production was 1.7 percent lower at 7.14 billion pounds. Year-to-date turkey production was 836.64 million pounds, a 2.1-percent drop from 2023 for the similar time.

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