U.S. Poultry Slaughter Up in July

WASHINGTON - Aug 31/06 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome during July 2006 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.36 billion pounds, up 2% from the amount certified in July 2005, according to the USDA. Totals for June 2006 were up slightly with 3.67 billion pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during July 2006 was 4.51 billion pounds, up 2% from 4.42 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.85 billion pounds, up 2% from July 2005. Mature chickens, at 62.7 million pounds, were down 9% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 578 million pounds, an increase of 6% from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.2 million pounds, up slightly from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during July 2006 averaged 5.38 pounds per bird, up 2% from July 2005. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.37 pounds per bird, up 9% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during July 2006 averaged 27.8 pounds per bird, up 1% from July 2005.

Ante-mortem condemnations during July 2006 totaled 22.7 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.50% of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.45% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 42.6 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.05% of quantities inspected, compared with 1.07% a year earlier.

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