Poultry Slaughter Output Declines

WASHINGTON - Sep 24/13 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Sep 24/13 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within August 2013 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.84 billion pounds, down 2% from the quantity certified in August 2012, according to today's USDA data, according to today's USDA data.

The July 2013 revised certified total at 3.85 billion pounds, was up 5% from July 2012. The July revision represented a decrease of 297 thousand pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during August 2013 was 5.08 billion pounds, down 2% from 5.18 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.38 billion pounds, down 1% from August 2012. Mature chickens, at 77.8 million pounds, were down 4% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 605 million pounds, down 9% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 13.9 million pounds, down 2% from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during August 2013 averaged 5.90 pounds per bird, up 2% from August 2012. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.73 pounds per bird, down 3% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during August 2013 averaged 29.7 pounds per bird, up 3% from August 2012.

Ante-mortem condemnations during August 2013 totalled 11.1 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.22% of the live weight inspected, as compared to 0.24% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 34.1 million pounds, were 0.88% of quantities inspected, as compared to 0.87% a year earlier.