U.S. Poultry Slaughter Activity Falls

WASHINGTON - Oct 24/13 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Oct 24/13 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome within September 2013 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.60 billion pounds, up 5% from the quantity certified in September 2012, according to the latest USDA update on the sector, according to the latest USDA update on the sector.

The August 2013 revised certified total at 3.84 billion pounds, was down 2% from August 2012. The August revision represented an gain of 477 thousand pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during September 2013 was 4.76 billion pounds, up 5% from 4.55 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.13 billion pounds, up 6% from September 2012. Mature chickens, at 69.0 million pounds, were down a bit from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 551 million pounds, down 3% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 13.4 million pounds, up 11% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during September 2013 averaged 5.95 pounds per bird, up 1% from September 2012. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.88 pounds per bird, down slightly from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during September 2013 averaged 30.2 pounds per bird, up 3% from September 2012.

Ante-mortem condemnations during September 2013 totalled 9.59 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.20% of the live weight inspected, as compared to 0.20% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 31.9 million pounds, were 0.88% of quantities inspected, as compared to 0.85% a year earlier.