The June revised certified total declined 5 percent to 3.67 billion lbs. The June revision represented an increase of 489,000 lbs. from the May preliminary pounds certified, NASS said.
The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during July increased 4 percent to 4.87 billion lbs. compared to 4.68 billion lbs. a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.17 billion lbs., up 3 percent from July 2011. Mature chickens totaled 68.9 million lbs., down 6 percent from 2011, NASS said. Turkey inspections gained 10 percent to total 621 million lbs. Ducks totaled 12.4 million lbs., up 4 percent from last year.
The number of young chickens slaughtered during July 2012 increased slightly to average 5.76 lbs. per bird. The average live weight of mature chickens was increased 2 percent to 6.09 lbs. per bird. Turkeys slaughtered during July 2012 averaged 29.3 lbs. per bird, up 1 percent from July 2011, NASS said.
Ante-mortem condemnations during July totaled 11.7 million lbs. NASS said condemnations were 0.24 percent of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.24 percent in 2011. Post-mortem condemnations, at 32.5 million lbs., were 0.88 percent of quantities inspected, compared to 0.92 percent a year earlier.
