U.S. Poultry Slaughter Output Lags

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

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 during 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 a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 630 million pounds, up 4% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.3 million pounds, up 3% from a year ago.

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.