Poultry Slaughter Activity Drops

WASHINGTON - Feb 24/12 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Feb 24/12 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome throughout January 2012 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.62 billion pounds, down 1% from the quantity certified in January 2011, judging from the latest USDA report on the sector, judging from the latest USDA report on the sector.

The December 2011 revised certified total at 3.37 billion pounds, was down 9% from December 2010. The December revision represented an rise of 1.69 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry throughout January 2012 was 4.80 billion pounds, down 1% from 4.84 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected came in at 4.12 billion pounds, down 1% from January 2011. Mature chickens, at 67.9 million pounds, were up 6% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 600 million pounds, up 3% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.3 million pounds, down 1% from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during January 2012 averaged 5.84 pounds per bird, down a bit from January 2011. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.29 pounds per bird, down 4% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during January 2012 averaged 30.9 pounds per bird, up somewhat from January 2011.

Ante-mortem condemnations during January 2012 totalled 10.7 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.22% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.27% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.7 million pounds, were 0.95% of quantities inspected, as compared to 1.04% a year earlier.