Solid Increase in Poultry Slaughter

WASHINGTON - Sep 29.06 - SNS -- Poultry slaughter activity in the United State posted a solid increase during August, rising 6% above year earlier levels to 3.89 billion pounds on a ready-to-cook basis, reports the USDA. Totals for July 2006 were up slightly with 3.37 billion pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during August 2006 was 4.96 billion pounds, up 1% from 4.90 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.24 billion pounds, up 1% from August 2005. Mature chickens, at 72.8 million pounds, were down 5% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 629 million pounds, an increase of 2% from a year ago. Ducks totaled 15.5 million pounds, down 2% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during August 2006 averaged 5.35 pounds per bird, up 1% from August 2005. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.29 pounds per bird, up 8% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during July 2006 averaged 26.9 pounds per bird, up 1% from August 2005.

Ante-mortem condemnations during August 2006 totaled 28.3 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.57% of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.42% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 48.1 million pounds, were 1.22% of quantities inspected, compared with 1.27% a year earlier.

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