Source: MEATINGPLACE, 10/25/13

Poultry certified wholesome during September 2013 (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.60 billion pounds, up 5 percent from the amount certified in September 2012, the USDA said it its monthly Poultry Slaughter report.

The August 2013 revised certified total at 3.84 billion pounds, was down 2 percent from August 2012. The August revision represented an increase of 477 thousand pounds from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during September 2013 was 4.76 billion pounds, up 5 percent from 4.55 billion pounds a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.13 billion pounds, up 6 percent from September 2012. Mature chickens, at 69.0 million pounds, were down slightly from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 551 million pounds, down 3 percent from a year ago. Ducks totaled 13.4 million pounds, up 11 percent from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during September 2013 averaged 5.95 pounds per bird, up 1 percent from September 2012. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.88 pounds per bird, down slightly from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during September 2013 averaged 30.2 pounds per bird, up 3 percent from September 2012.

Ante-mortem condemnations during September 2013 totaled 9.59 million pounds. Condemnations were 0.20 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.20 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 31.9 million pounds, were 0.88 percent of quantities inspected, as compared with 0.85 percent a year earlier.

September 2012 contained 20 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays. September 2013 contained 21 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.

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