U.S. Poultry Slaughter Activity Drops

WASHINGTON - Mar 25/09 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within February 2009 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.19 billion pounds, down 8% from the quantity certified in February 2008, shows this USDA sector report.

The January 2009 revised certified total at 3.39 billion pounds, was down 12% from January 2008. The January revision represented an increase of 523 thousand pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during February 2009 was 4.27 billion pounds, down 9% from 4.68 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 3.64 billion pounds, down 8% from February 2008. Mature chickens, at 59.4 million pounds, were down 15% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 558 million pounds, down 12% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 11.2 million pounds, down 17% from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during February 2009 averaged 5.54 pounds per bird, up slightly from February 2008. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.85 pounds per bird, down 1% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during February 2009 averaged 29.6 pounds per bird, down 1% from February 2008.

Ante-mortem condemnations during February 2009 totalled 12.5 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.29% of the live weight inspected, as compared to 0.36% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 38.7 million pounds, were 1.20% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.35% a year earlier.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here