Poultry Slaughter Volume Declines

WASHINGTON - Sep 26/11 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Sep 26/11 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome throughout August 2011 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.84 billion pounds, up 3% from the quantity certified in August 2010, reveals the current USDA data, reveals the current USDA data.

The July 2011 revised certified total at 3.52 billion pounds, was down 2% from July 2010. The July revision represented an gain of 0.71 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry throughout August 2011 was 5.09 billion pounds, up 2% from 4.97 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.37 billion pounds, up 2% from August 2010. Mature chickens, at 76.4 million pounds, were up 2% from last year. Turkey inspections totalled 630 million pounds, up 4% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.3 million pounds, up 3% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during August 2011 averaged 5.77 pounds per bird, up 4% from August 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.81 pounds per bird, down 2% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during August 2011 averaged 28.5 pounds per bird, up 2% from August 2010.

Ante-mortem condemnations during August 2011 totalled 12.2 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.24% of the live weight inspected, as compared to 0.29% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 35.0 million pounds, were 0.90% of quantities inspected, as compared to 0.90% a year earlier.