Poultry certified wholesome during June 2009 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.60 billion pounds, down two per cent from the amount certified in June 2008. The May 2009 revised certified total at 3.39 billion pounds, was down nine per cent from May 2008. The May revision represented an increase of 499,000 pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during June 2009 was 4.79 billion pounds, down two per cent from 4.90 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.08 billion pounds, down two per cent from June 2008. Mature chickens, at 72.4 million pounds, were down nine per cent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 618 million pounds, down six per cent from a year ago. Ducks totalled 13.0 million pounds, up five per cent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during June 2009 averaged 5.54 pounds per bird, down slightly from June 2008. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.68 pounds per bird, down two per cent from a year ago.

Turkeys slaughtered during June 2009 averaged 28.5 pounds per bird, down one per cent from June 2008. Ante-mortem condemnations during June 2009 totaled 14.0 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.29 per cent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.34 per cent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 37.2 million pounds, were 1.02 per cent of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.15 per cent a year earlier.

June 2009 contained 22 weekdays and four Saturdays, while June 2008 had 21 weekdays and 4 Saturdays.

Further Reading

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