U.S. Poultry Slaughter Volume Lags

WASHINGTON - Apr 25/12 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Apr 25/12 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome throughout March 2012 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.60 billion pounds, down 7% from the quantity certified in March 2011, reveals the latest USDA statistics, reveals the latest USDA statistics.

The February 2012 revised certified total at 3.47 billion pounds, was up 4% from February 2011. The February revision represented a drop of 515 thousand pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry throughout March 2012 was 4.77 billion pounds, down 7% from 5.12 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected came in at 4.06 billion pounds, down 8% from March 2011. Mature chickens, at 63.5 million pounds, were down 13% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 629 million pounds, down a little from a year ago. Ducks totalled 13.8 million pounds, down 6% from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during March 2012 averaged 5.81 pounds per bird, up 1% from March 2011. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.18 pounds per bird, down 8% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during March 2012 averaged 30.6 pounds per bird, up 3% from March 2011.

Ante-mortem condemnations during March 2012 totalled 9.73 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.20% of the live weight inspected, as compared to 0.22% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.9 million pounds, were 0.96% of quantities inspected, as versus 1.01% a year earlier.