WASHINGTON – During July, poultry certified wholesome (ready-to-cook weight) totaled 3.55 billion lbs., down 3% from the amount certified in July 2009, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. The June 2010 revised certified total at 3.68 billion lbs., was up 2% from June 2009.

The June revision represented an increase of 13.7 million lbs. from last month's preliminary pounds certified.


The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during July 2010 was 4.71 billion lbs., down 3% from 4.84 billion lbs. one year ago. Young chickens inspected totaled 4.04 billion lbs., down 2% from July 2009.

Totaling 71.7 million lbs., mature chickens were down 5% from the previous year. Turkey inspections totaled 583 million lbs., down 5% from a year ago. Ducks totaled 13.0 million lbs., up 1% from last year.

Young chickens slaughtered during July 2010 averaged 5.57 lbs. per bird, up 1% from July 2009. The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.91 lbs. per bird, up slightly from a year ago. Turkeys slaughtered during July 2010 averaged 28.6 lbs. per bird, up slightly from July 2009.

Ante-mortem condemnations during July 2010 totaled 14.0 million lbs. Condemnations were 0.30% of the live weight inspected, as compared with 0.26% a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 32.5 million lbs., were 0.91% of quantities inspected, as compared with 1.00% a year earlier.