Ready-to-cook poultry weight during June 2013 totaled 3.53 billion lbs., down 4 percent from the amount certified in June 2012, according to the US Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
The May 2013 revised certified total, at 3.83 billion lbs., slipped 1 percent from May 2012. The May revision represented a decrease of 875,000 lbs. from the previous month's preliminary pounds certified, NASS reported.
The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during June 2013 fell 4 percent to 4.67 billion lbs. from 4.86 billion lbs. a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.00 billion lbs., down 3 percent from June 2012, according to NASS. Mature chickens dropped 12 percent to 66.5 million lbs. Turkey inspections declined 7 percent to 592 million lbs. Ducks totaled 12.6 million lbs., down 5 percent compared to a year ago.
Young chickens slaughtered during June 2013 averaged 5.89 lbs. per bird, up 1 percent from June 2012. The average live weight of mature chickens also climbed 1 percent to 5.81 lbs. per bird. Turkeys slaughtered during June 2013 averaged 30.1 lbs. per bird, a slight increase from June 2012, NASS reported.
Ante-mortem condemnations during June 2013 totaled 9.66 million lbs. Condemnations were 0.21 percent of the live weight inspected, compared to 0.22 percent a year ago. Post-mortem condemnations, at 31.4 million lbs., were 0.88 percent of quantities inspected compared to 0.89 percent a year earlier.
