Strong Showing For Turkey in March

WASHINGTON - May 2/03 - SNS -- The USDA released their poultry report for the month of March today, which shows most fowl down in slaughter and total live weight compared to last year, but turkeys showing good numbers.

Poultry certified wholesome during March 2003 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.07 billion pounds, down 1% from the amount certified in March 2002. Updated totals for February 2003 show that 2.89 billion pounds were certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during March 2003 was 4.13 billion pounds, down 1% from a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.46 billion pounds, down 2% from March 2002, and mature chickens at 67.7 million pounds, were down 5% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 594 million pounds, up 4%, and ducks totaled 12.9 million pounds, down 8%.

Young chickens slaughtered during March 2003 averaged 5.13 pounds per bird, up 1% from March 2002. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.39 pounds per bird, up 4% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during March 2003 averaged 27.5 pounds per bird, up 1% from March 2002.

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