Poultry Slaughter Volume Falls

WASHINGTON - Jul 25/12 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Jul 25/12 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within June 2012 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.67 billion pounds, down 5% from the quantity certified in June 2011, according to this USDA update on the sector, according to this USDA update on the sector.

The May 2012 revised certified total at 3.86 billion pounds, was up 1% from May 2011. The May revision represented an rise of 214 thousand pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during June 2012 was 4.86 billion pounds, down 5% from 5.11 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected quantityed to 4.14 billion pounds, down 5% from June 2011. Mature chickens, at 75.9 million pounds, were down 4% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 634 million pounds, down 3% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 13.3 million pounds, down 6% from the previous year.

Young chickens slaughtered during June 2012 averaged 5.86 pounds per bird, up 1% from June 2011. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.73 pounds per bird, down 5% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during June 2012 averaged 30.0 pounds per bird, up 3% from June 2011.

Ante-mortem condemnations during June 2012 totalled 10.9 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.22% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.23% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 33.1 million pounds, were 0.89% of quantities inspected, as versus 0.93% a year earlier.