The July 2013 revised certified total increased 5 percent to 3.85 billion lbs. compared to July 2012. The July revision represented a decrease of 297,000 lbs. from last month's preliminary lbs. certified, according to NASS.
The preliminary total live weight of all federally inspected poultry during August declined 2 percent to 5.08 billion lbs. from 5.18 billion lbs. a year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.38 billion lbs., down 1 percent from last year. NASS reported a 4 percent decline in mature chickens to 77.8 million lbs. Turkey inspections were 9 percent lower at 605 million lbs., while ducks totaled 13.9 million lbs., down 2 percent from August 2013, NASS reported.
Young chickens slaughtered during August 2013 averaged 5.90 lbs. per bird, up 2 percent from August 2012. The average live weight of mature chickens declined 3 percent to 5.73 lbs. per bird. Turkeys slaughtered during August averaged 29.7 lbs. per bird, a 3 percent increase compared to August 2012.
Ante-mortem condemnations during August totaled 11.1 million lbs., according to NASS. Condemnations were 0.22 percent of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.24 percent a year ago. Post-mortem condemnations were 0.88 percent of quantities inspected at 34.1 million lbs., as compared with 0.87 percent a year ago.
