Poultry Slaughter Output Lags

WASHINGTON - Oct 25/10 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Oct 25/10 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome during September 2010 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.75 billion pounds, up 5% from the quantity certified in September 2009, according to the current USDA statistics, according to the current USDA statistics.

The August 2010 revised certified total at 3.74 billion pounds, was up 6% from August 2009. The August revision represented an rise of 12.2 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during September 2010 was 4.98 billion pounds, up 5% from 4.77 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.31 billion pounds, up 5% from September 2009. Mature chickens, at 72.2 million pounds, were up 6% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 584 million pounds, down somewhat from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.3 million pounds, up 9% from the previous year.

Young chickens slaughtered during September 2010 averaged 5.73 pounds per bird, up 2% from September 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.72 pounds per bird, up a little from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during September 2010 averaged 28.5 pounds per bird, down 1% from September 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during September 2010 totalled 11.4 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.23% of the live weight inspected, as compared to 0.23% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.1 million pounds, were 0.90% of quantities inspected, as versus 0.97% a year earlier.