Shuter Sunset Farms, Inc. a cattle and swine operation in Madison County has been certified by the Indiana State Department ofAgriculture in the ISDA Certified Livestock Producer Program.

“This program recognizes exceptional Indiana livestock producers who have proactively adopted progressive management practices to demonstrate their commitment to the environment, animalwell-being and being a good neighbor,” said Lt. Governor Becky Skillman. “In going above and beyond, these producers are leaders in the livestock industry.”

Poultry production during April was down 7% on the year, according to the USDA. The total amount of poultry certified wholesome was 3.523 billion pounds. For the year to date,production is 13.627 billion bushels, 7% lower than the 14.621 billion produced during January to April 2008. That year to year reduction is due to uncertainties over demand because of the economy and the high price of feed.

Chicken made up most of the total at 3.039 billionpounds, 6% below a year ago, with turkey at 474.989 million pounds, down 9% from last year, and duck at 9.069 million pounds, a 10% decrease on the year.

The live weight of all poultry slaughtered during April was 4.699 billion pounds, compared to 5.062 billion a year ago.Most of the total was chicken at 4.091 billion pounds, followed by turkeys at 595.260 million and ducks at 12.811 million. The year to date total is 18.215 billion pounds, down 7% from the January to April 2008 total.

The chicken slaughter was reported at 733.400 millionhead, a decline of 7% from April 2008. The turkey kill of 20.297 million head was 7% smaller than a year ago. The duck kill of 1.880 million head was 9% below last year.

The average live weight of all chickens was 5.58 pounds, just about steady with a year ago, turkeysaveraged 29.33 pounds, also nearly unchanged from last year, and ducks averaged 6.72 pounds, 1% heavier than a year ago.

Ante-mortem condemnations were pegged at 12.129 million pounds, 21% lower than the 15.298 million pounds condemned a year ago, accounting for .26% of thetotal live weight. Post-mortem condemnations were placed at 38.029 million pounds, 20% below the 47.643 million last year, or 1.07% of the total.

Commercial red meat production in the United States in April totaled 4.08 billion pounds, down 5percent from April of 2008.

Beef production was 5 percent lower than a year ago at 2.13 billion pounds. Cattle slaughter was 6 percent lower at 2.77 million head while average live weight was up 17 pounds at 1,276.

Pork production in April totaled1.92 billion pounds, also 5 percent lower than April of 2008. The National Ag Statistics Service says total hog numbers were down 6 percent to 9.43 million head while the average hog was 3 pounds heavier at 272 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production increased 1 percent from ayear ago to 15.5 million pounds. There were 4 percent more sheep going to market and each was 3 pounds heavier.

For the first four months of 2009, commercial red meat production was 3 percent lower than the January through April period of 2008 at 16.2 billion pounds. Beefproduction was 3 percent lower, pork down 4 percent and lamb and mutton output was 6 percent lower.