Poultry Slaughter Output Drops

WASHINGTON - Apr 28/08 - SNS -- Poultry certified wholesome during March 2008 (ready-to-cook weight) came in at 3.51 billion pounds, up 1% from the quantity certified in March 2007, according to the latest USDA report.

The February 2008 revised certified total at 3.47 billion pounds, was up10% from February 2007. The February revision represented an increase of 19.0 million pounds from a month ago's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during March 2008 was 4.73 billion pounds, up 1% from 4.67 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.03 billion pounds, up 1% from March 2007. Mature chickens, at 72.4 million pounds, were up 14% from a year ago. Turkey inspections totalled 613 million pounds, up somewhat from a year ago. Ducks totalled 13.9 million pounds, down 13% from a year ago.

Young chickens slaughtered during March 2008 averaged 5.56 pounds per bird, up 2% from March 2007. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.66 pounds per bird, down 3% from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during March 2008 averaged 29.4 pounds per bird, up 2% from March 2007.

Ante-mortem condemnations during March 2008 totalled 15.5 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.33% of the live weight inspected, as versus 0.33% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 48.9 million pounds, were 1.37% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.37% a year earlier.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here

PageGen v1.0ef