U.S. Poultry Slaughter Activity Declines

WASHINGTON - Sep 24/12 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Sep 24/12 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome throughout August 2012 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.91 billion pounds, up a little from the quantity certified in August 2011, according to the current USDA data, according to the current USDA data.

The July 2012 revised certified total at 3.68 billion pounds, was up 4% from July 2011. The July revision represented an gain of 908 thousand pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry throughout August 2012 was 5.18 billion pounds, up somewhat from 5.16 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.42 billion pounds, down slightly from August 2011. Mature chickens, at 80.7 million pounds, were up 2% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 662 million pounds, up 5% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.3 million pounds, down 1% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during August 2012 averaged 5.81 pounds per bird, up 1% from August 2011. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.88 pounds per bird, up slightly from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during August 2012 averaged 28.9 pounds per bird, up 1% from August 2011.

Ante-mortem condemnations during August 2012 totalled 12.3 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.24% of the live weight inspected, as compared to 0.24% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.1 million pounds, were 0.87% of quantities inspected, as compared to 0.90% a year earlier.