Poultry certified wholesome during July 2006 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.36 billion pounds, up 2 percent from the amount certified in July 2005. Totals for June 2006 were up slightly with 3.67 billion pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during July 2006 was 4.51 billion pounds, up 2 percent from 4.42 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 3.85 billion pounds, up 2 percent from July 2005. Mature chickens, at 62.7 million pounds, were down 9 percent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 578 million pounds, an increase of 6 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 14.2 million pounds, up slightly from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during July 2006 averaged 5.38 pounds per bird, up 2 percent from July 2005. The average live weight of mature chickens was 6.37 pounds per bird, up 9 percent from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during July 2006 averaged 27.8 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from July 2005.

Ante-mortem condemnations during July 2006 totaled 22.7 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.50 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.45 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 42.6 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.05 percent of quantities inspected, compared with 1.07 percent a year earlier.

July 2006 contained 21 weekdays (including one holiday) and five Saturdays, the same as July 2005.

To view the full report, including tables, please click here (PDF format, 20 pages)

ThePoultrySite News Desk