Poultry Slaughter Output Lags

WASHINGTON - Jun 25/12 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Jun 25/12 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within May 2012 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.86 billion pounds, up 1% from the quantity certified in May 2011, shows today's USDA sector report, shows today's USDA sector report.

The April 2012 revised certified total at 3.52 billion pounds, was up 1% from April 2011. The April revision represented a drop of 548 thousand pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry throughout May 2012 was 5.11 billion pounds, up 1% from 5.04 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.37 billion pounds, up 1% from May 2011. Mature chickens, at 74.8 million pounds, were up 6% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 651 million pounds, up 5% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.3 million pounds, up 2% from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during May 2012 averaged 5.83 pounds per bird, up somewhat from May 2011. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.27 pounds per bird, down 6% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during May 2012 averaged 29.8 pounds per bird, down 1% from May 2011.

Ante-mortem condemnations during May 2012 totalled 10.1 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.20% of the live weight inspected, as compared to 0.21% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 35.9 million pounds, were 0.92% of quantities inspected, as versus 0.96% a year earlier.