August 30, 2010

US poultry ready-to-cook weight down 3% in July

The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reports a 3% drop in poultry ready-to-cook (RTC) weights in its monthly Poultry Slaughter report for July 2010.

Poultry certified wholesome during July 2010 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.55 billion pounds, down 3% from the amount certified in July 2009. The June 2010 revised certified total at 3.68 billion pounds, was up 2% from June 2009. The June revision represented an increase of 13.7 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during July 2010 was 4.71 billion pounds, down 3% from 4.84 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.04 billion pounds, down 2% from July 2009. Mature chickens, at 71.7 million pounds, were down 5% from the previous year.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during July 2010 was 4.71 billion pounds, down 3% from 4.84 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.04 billion pounds, down 2% from July 2009. Mature chickens, at 71.7 million pounds, were down 5% from the previous year.

Meanwhile, young chickens slaughtered during July 2010 averaged 5.57 pounds per bird, up 1% from July 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.91 pounds per bird, up slightly from a year ago.

Ante-mortem condemnations during July 2010 totalled 14.0 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.30% of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.26% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 32.5 million pounds, were 0.91% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.00% a year earlier.