U.S. Poultry Slaughter Output Falls

WASHINGTON - Jul 24/14 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Jul 24/14 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome during June 2014 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.74 billion pounds, up 6% from the quantity certified in June 2013, shows the current USDA sector report, shows the current USDA sector report.

The May 2014 revised certified total at 3.73 billion pounds, was down 3% from May 2013. The May revision represented an gain of 801 thousand pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during June 2014 was 4.95 billion pounds, up 6% from 4.67 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected came in at 4.26 billion pounds, up 7% from June 2013. Mature chickens, at 68.5 million pounds, were up 3% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 606 million pounds, up 2% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.1 million pounds, up 12% from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during June 2014 averaged 5.99 pounds per bird, up 2% from June 2013. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.71 pounds per bird, down 2% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during June 2014 averaged 30.1 pounds per bird, down somewhat from June 2013.

Ante-mortem condemnations during June 2014 totalled 11.0 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.22% of the live weight inspected, as compared to 0.21% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 35.9 million pounds, were 0.95% of quantities inspected, as compared to 0.88% a year earlier.