U.S. Poultry Slaughter Output Falls

WASHINGTON - Aug 25/10 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome during July 2010 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.55 billion pounds, down 3% from the quantity certified in July 2009, shows this USDA data.

The June 2010 revised certified total at 3.68 billion pounds, was up 2% from June 2009. The June revision represented an increase of 13.7 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during July 2010 was 4.71 billion pounds, down 3% from 4.84 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.04 billion pounds, down 2% from July 2009. Mature chickens, at 71.7 million pounds, were down 5% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 583 million pounds, down 5% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 13.0 million pounds, up 1% from the previous year.

Young chickens slaughtered during July 2010 averaged 5.57 pounds per bird, up 1% from July 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.91 pounds per bird, up somewhat from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during July 2010 averaged 28.6 pounds per bird, up slightly from July 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during July 2010 totalled 14.0 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.30% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.26% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 32.5 million pounds, were 0.91% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.00% a year earlier.