Solid Increase in U.S. Poultry Slaughter

WASHINGTON - Jul 29/05 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome during June 2005 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.61 billion pounds, up 5% from the amount certified in June 2004, according to the USDA. Updated totals for May 2005 show that 3.54 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during June 2005 was 4.84 billion pounds, up 5% from 4.61 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.13 billion pounds, up 5% from June 2004, and mature chickens at 78.2 million pounds, were up 12% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 619 million pounds, up 5%, and ducks totaled 15.8 million pounds, up 7% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during June 2005 averaged 5.33 pounds per bird, up 1% from June 2004. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.61 pounds per bird, down 1% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during June 2005 averaged 28.2 pounds per bird, up 3% from June 2004.

Ante-mortem condemnations during June 2005 totaled 19.7 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.41% of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.43% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 48.4 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.11% of quantities inspected, compared with 1.26% a year earlier.

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