U.S. Poultry Slaughter Activity Drops

WASHINGTON - Aug 24/12 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Aug 24/12 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within July 2012 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.68 billion pounds, up 4% from the quantity certified in July 2011, judging from today's USDA update on the sector, judging from today's USDA update on the sector.

The June 2012 revised certified total at 3.67 billion pounds, was down 5% from June 2011. The June revision represented an gain of 489 thousand pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during July 2012 was 4.87 billion pounds, up 4% from 4.68 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.17 billion pounds, up 3% from July 2011. Mature chickens, at 68.9 million pounds, were down 6% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 621 million pounds, up 10% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 12.4 million pounds, up 4% from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during July 2012 averaged 5.76 pounds per bird, down slightly from July 2011. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.09 pounds per bird, up 2% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during July 2012 averaged 29.3 pounds per bird, up 1% from July 2011.

Ante-mortem condemnations during July 2012 totalled 11.7 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.24% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.24% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 32.5 million pounds, were 0.88% of quantities inspected, as compared to 0.92% a year earlier.