Poultry Slaughter Activity Drops

WASHINGTON - Sep 25/09 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome throughout August 2009 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.52 billion pounds, down 3% from the quantity certified in August 2008, judging from this USDA update.

The July 2009 revised certified total at 3.64 billion pounds, was down 5% from July 2008. The July revision represented an gain of 5.63 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during August 2009 was 4.70 billion pounds, down 4% from 4.87 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.03 billion pounds, down 3% from August 2008. Mature chickens, at 70.7 million pounds, were down 7% from last year. Turkey inspections totalled 579 million pounds, down 9% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 12.3 million pounds, down 2% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during August 2009 averaged 5.56 pounds per bird, down slightly from August 2008. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.78 pounds per bird, down 2% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during August 2009 averaged 28.2 pounds per bird, up slightly from August 2008.

Ante-mortem condemnations during August 2009 totalled 12.3 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.26% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.34% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.6 million pounds, were 0.97% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.07% a year earlier.

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