Poultry Slaughter Up in August

WASHINGTON - Sep 27/10 - SNS -- Poultry slaughter activity in the United States rose in August, with the USDA certifying 3.73 billion pounds or ready to cook weight poultry meat as wholesome, up 6% from the amount certified in August 2009.

The July 2010 revised certified total at 3.58 billion pounds, was down 2% from July 2009. The July revision represented an increase of 32.1 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during August 2010 was 4.96 billion pounds, up 6% from 4.70 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.27 billion pounds, up 6% from August 2009. Mature chickens, at 75.1 million pounds, were up 6% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 603 million pounds, up 4% from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.0 million pounds, up 13% from last year.