Poultry Slaughter Output Drops

WASHINGTON - Oct 23/14 - SNS -- WASHINGTON - Oct 23/14 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome throughout September 2014 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.85 billion pounds, up 7% from the quantity certified in September 2013, judging from the current USDA report, judging from the current USDA report.

The August 2014 revised certified total at 3.74 billion pounds, was down 3% from August 2013. The August revision represented an gain of 1 thousand pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during September 2014 was 5.09 billion pounds, up 7% from 4.76 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.38 billion pounds, up 6% from September 2013. Mature chickens, at 71.3 million pounds, were up 3% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 617 million pounds, up 12% from a year ago. Ducks totalled 15.1 million pounds, up 13% from the previous year.

Young chickens slaughtered during September 2014 averaged 5.99 pounds per bird, up 1% from September 2013. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.83 pounds per bird, down 1% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during September 2014 averaged 30.6 pounds per bird, up 1% from September 2013.

Ante-mortem condemnations during September 2014 totalled 11.1 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.22% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.20% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 37.4 million pounds, were 0.96% of quantities inspected, as versus 0.88% a year earlier.