U.S. Poultry Slaughter Activity Falls

WASHINGTON - Jul 26/10 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within June 2010 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.67 billion pounds, up 2% from the quantity certified in June 2009, judging from the current USDA report on the sector.

The May 2010 revised certified total at 3.51 billion pounds, was up 3% from May 2009. The May revision represented an gain of 7.8 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during June 2010 was 4.87 billion pounds, up 2% from 4.79 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.17 billion pounds, up 2% from June 2009. Mature chickens, at 70.8 million pounds, were down 2% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 610 million pounds, down 1% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 13.6 million pounds, up 4% from the previous year.

Young chickens slaughtered during June 2010 averaged 5.62 pounds per bird, up 2% from June 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.73 pounds per bird, up 1% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during June 2010 averaged 29.0 pounds per bird, up 2% from June 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during June 2010 totalled 12.3 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.25% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.29% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 33.4 million pounds, were 0.90% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.03% a year earlier.