Poultry certified wholesome during May 2011 (ready-to-cook weight) totalled 3.78 billion pounds, up eight per cent from the amount certified in May 2010. The April 2011 revised certified total at 3.48 billion pounds, was down two per cent from April 2010. The April revision represented an increase of 3.71 million pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during May 2011 was 5.01 billion pounds, up eight per cent from 4.66 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totalled 4.31 billion pounds, up seven per cent from May 2010. Mature chickens, at 70.5 million pounds, were up 10 per cent from the previous year. Turkey inspections totalled 620 million pounds, up 13 per cent from a year ago. Ducks totalled 14.0 million pounds, up 11 per cent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during May 2011 averaged 5.81 pounds per bird, up two per cent from May 2010. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.60 pounds per bird, up slightly from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during May 2011 averaged 30.2 pounds per bird, up two per cent from May 2010.

Ante-mortem condemnations during May 2011 totalled 10.5 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.21 per cent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.23 per cent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 36.7 million pounds, were 0.96 per cent of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.94 per cent a year earlier.

While May 2010 contained 21 weekdays (including one holiday) and five Saturdays, May 2011 contained 22 weekdays (including one holiday) and four Saturdays.

Further Reading

-

You can view the full report by clicking here.