WASHINGTON — For the month of July, poultry certified wholesome (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.63 billion lbs., down 5% from the amount certified in July 2008, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The June 2009 revised certified total at 3.60 billion lbs., was down 2% from June 2008. The June revision represented an increase of 1.33 million lbs. from last month's preliminary pounds certified.

During July, the preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected was 4.83 billion lbs., down 6% from 5.13 billion lbs. a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.13 billion lbs., down 5% from July 2008. At 75.3 million lbs., mature chickens were down 8% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 611 million lbs., down 11% from a year ago. Ducks totaled 12.8 million lbs., down 5% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during July 2009 averaged 5.54 lbs. per bird, unchanged from July 2008. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.90 lbs. per bird, the same compared to June 2008. Turkeys slaughtered during July 2009 averaged 28.4 lbs. per bird, up slightly from July 2008.

During July, ante-mortem condemnations totaled 12.8 million lbs. Condemnations were 0.26% of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.39% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 36.9 million lbs., were 1.01% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.12% during July 2008.

July 2009 contained 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and four Saturdays, while July 2008 had 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and four Saturdays.