Ready-to-Cook Weight Up 6 Percent from Last Year

Poultry certified wholesome during July 2008 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.83 billion pounds, up 6 percent from the amount certified in July 2007. The June 2008 revised certified total at 3.66 billion pounds, was up 2 percent from June 2007. The June revision represented a decrease of 2.30 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during July 2008 was 5.13 billion pounds, up 5 percent from 4.87 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.35 billion pounds, up 5 percent from July 2007. Mature chickens, at 81.6 million pounds, were up 15 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 687 million pounds, up 8 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 13.5 million pounds, down 12 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during July 2008 averaged 5.54 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from July 2007. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.90 pounds per bird, down 5 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during July 2008 averaged 28.4 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from July 2007.

Ante-mortem condemnations during July 2008 totaled 20.1 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.39 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.37 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 43.3 million pounds, were 1.12 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.20 percent a year earlier.

July 2008 contained 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and 4 Saturdays, while July 2007 had 22 weekdays (including one holiday) and 4 Saturdays.

Further Reading

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