Poultry
Slaughter
National
Agricultural
Statistics
Service
 
USDA
Washington, D.C.
 
 
Released February 2, 1999, by the National Agricultural Statistics
Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of
Agriculture. For information on "Poultry Slaughter" call John Lange
(202) 720-0585 or Mike Barker (202) 720-3243, office hours 7:30 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. ET.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                 Ready-to-Cook Weight Up 1 Percent
 
Poultry Certified Wholesome during December (ready-to-cook weight),
totaled 2.85 billion pounds, up 1 percent from the amount certified in
December 1997. Updated totals for November 1998 show that 2.70 billion
pounds were certified.
 
The preliminary total Live Weight of Poultry Inspected during December
1998 was 3.88 billion pounds. Inspections included 3.24 billion pounds
of young chickens, 75.6 million pounds of mature chickens, 548 million
pounds of turkeys, and 13.6 million pounds of ducks.
 
Young chickens slaughtered during December 1998 averaged 4.98 pounds per
bird, up 2 percent from last year. The average live weight of mature
chickens was 4.99 pounds per bird, 3 percent above a year ago. Turkeys
slaughtered during December 1998 averaged 24.9 pounds per bird, up
slightly from December 1997.
 
Ante-mortem condemnations during December 1998 totaled 20.6 million
pounds. Condemnations were 0.53 percent of the live weight inspected,
compared with 0.37 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at
64.4 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.84 percent of
quantities inspected, compared with 1.83 percent a year earlier.
 
December 1998 contained 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and four
Saturdays, the same as December 1997.
 
 
Pou 2-1 (2-99)
 
 
 
        Poultry Slaughter:  Number, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight
           by Type, United States, December 1998 with Comparisons 1/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                                       :         :
                    :               Chickens                :         :  Other
                    :---------------------------------------:  Ducks  : Poultry
                    :    Young    : Mature 2/ :    Total    :         :
                    :----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                        1,000 Head
Number Inspected    :
                    :
  Nov 1998          :     600,633      11,135       611,768     1,931   -----
  Dec 1997          :     647,883      13,621       661,504     2,042   -----
  Dec 1998          :     651,561      15,154       666,715     2,029   -----
                    :
  Jan-Dec 1997      :   7,735,903     167,635     7,903,539    21,978   -----
  Jan-Dec 1998      :   7,826,045     169,348     7,995,393    23,463   -----
                    :
                    :                       1,000 Pounds
Live Weight         :
                    :
  Nov 1998          :   2,998,583      60,230     3,058,813    12,676      880
  Dec 1997          :   3,148,429      65,728     3,214,157    13,592    1,038
  Dec 1998          :   3,244,007      75,556     3,319,564    13,585      631
                    :
  Jan-Dec 1997      :  37,207,401     839,202    38,046,603   146,534   17,733
  Jan-Dec 1998      :  37,999,433     865,166    38,864,599   154,687   14,302
                    :
                    :                          Pounds
Average Live Weight :
                    :
  Nov 1998          :        4.99        5.41          5.00      6.57   -----
  Dec 1997          :        4.86        4.83          4.86      6.66   -----
  Dec 1998          :        4.98        4.99          4.98      6.69   -----
                    :
  Jan-Dec 1997      :        4.81        5.01          4.81      6.67   -----
  Jan-Dec 1998      :        4.86        5.11          4.86      6.59   -----
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.
                                                                   -- continued
 
        Poultry Slaughter:  Number, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight
     by Type, United States, December 1998 with Comparisons 1/ (continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                   Turkeys                  :
                    :--------------------------------------------:    Total
                    : Fryer-   :           :         :   Total   :   Poultry
                    : Roasters : Young  3/ :   Old   :  Turkeys  :
                    :----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                        1,000 Head
Number Inspected    :
                    :
  Nov 1998          :       2       24,279       101      24,383      -----
  Dec 1997          :     ---       23,472       125      23,597      -----
  Dec 1998          :      33       21,864       135      22,033      -----
                    :
  Jan-Dec 1997      :      68      288,400     1,762     290,230      -----
  Jan-Dec 1998      :      76      271,033     1,879     272,987      -----
                    :
                    :                       1,000 Pounds
Live Weight         :
                    :
  Nov 1998          :      18      587,112     2,756     589,887     3,662,257
  Dec 1997          :     ---      580,854     3,316     584,171     3,812,957
  Dec 1998          :     280      544,079     3,482     547,842     3,881,622
                    :
  Jan-Dec 1997      :     658    6,908,440    45,387   6,954,485    45,165,355
  Jan-Dec 1998      :     660    6,675,768    49,035   6,725,463    45,759,051
                    :
                    :                          Pounds
Average Live Weight :
                    :
  Nov 1998          :    7.41        24.18     27.28       24.19      -----
  Dec 1997          :     ---        24.75     26.59       24.76      -----
  Dec 1998          :    8.43        24.88     25.76       24.87      -----
                    :
  Jan-Dec 1997      :    9.62        23.95     25.75       23.96      -----
  Jan-Dec 1998      :    8.69        24.63     26.10       24.64      -----
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Federally inspected only.  Totals may not add due to rounding.
2/  Of the Mature Chickens inspected, the number reported in thousands as
    heavy fowl (broiler breeding stock) was:  December 1997:  4,416,
    December 1998:  5,343.
3/  Of the Young Turkeys inspected, the number reported in thousands as
    young breeders was:  December 1997:     69, December 1998:     57.
 
       Poultry Slaughter:  Chilled and Frozen, Pounds Certified by Type,
                United States, December 1998 with Comparisons 1/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              :                                             :         :
              :                   Chickens                  :         :  Other
              :---------------------------------------------:  Ducks  : Poultry
              :     Young     :    Mature    :    Total     :         :
              :----------------------------------------------------------------
              :                          1,000 Pounds
Nov 1998      :
  Chilled     :    1,986,155        35,270       2,021,425      3,634      248
  Frozen      :      205,518         1,614         207,131      5,248      270
              :
  Total       :    2,191,673        36,884       2,228,556      8,881      517
              :
Dec 1997      :
  Chilled     :    2,079,478        38,133       2,117,611      3,736      393
  Frozen      :      226,131         2,432         228,563      5,911      254
              :
  Total       :    2,305,609        40,565       2,346,175      9,646      647
              :
Dec 1998      :
  Chilled     :    2,153,885        42,258       2,196,142      4,185      229
  Frozen      :      205,881         3,551         209,433      5,430      130
              :
  Total       :    2,359,766        45,809       2,405,575      9,615      359
              :
              :
Jan-Dec 1997  :
  Chilled     :   24,797,531       481,501      25,279,032     36,948    5,654
  Frozen      :    2,473,210        27,745       2,500,955     67,466    4,480
              :
  Total       :   27,270,741       509,247      27,779,987    104,414   10,133
              :
Jan-Dec 1998  :
  Chilled     :   25,327,144       481,014      25,808,158     39,356    4,616
  Frozen      :    2,495,785        42,371       2,538,156     70,677    3,554
              :
  Total       :   27,822,929       523,385      28,346,315    110,033    8,171
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.
                                                                   -- continued
 
       Poultry Slaughter:  Chilled and Frozen, Pounds Certified by Type,
          United States, December 1998 with Comparisons 1/ (continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              :                     Turkeys                    :
              :------------------------------------------------:     Total
              :  Fryer-    :           :           :   Total   :    Poultry
              :  Roasters  :   Young   :    Old    :  Turkeys  :
              :----------------------------------------------------------------
              :                          1,000 Pounds
Nov 1998      :
  Chilled     :       14       249,193      1,558      250,765      2,276,071
  Frozen      :      ---       210,306        554      210,860        423,509
              :
  Total       :       14       459,499      2,112      461,625      2,699,580
              :
Dec 1997      :
  Chilled     :      ---       236,488      1,383      237,871      2,359,611
  Frozen      :      ---       221,438      1,135      222,573        457,301
              :
  Total       :      ---       457,926      2,518      460,444      2,816,911
              :
Dec 1998      :
  Chilled     :      209       212,853      1,603      214,665      2,415,221
  Frozen      :      ---       214,813      1,043      215,856        430,849
              :
  Total       :      209       427,666      2,645      430,521      2,846,070
              :
              :
Jan-Dec 1997  :
  Chilled     :       86     2,643,868     22,073    2,666,027     27,987,661
  Frozen      :      395     2,798,967     12,524    2,811,887      5,384,788
              :
  Total       :      482     5,442,835     34,597    5,477,914     33,372,449
              :
Jan-Dec 1998  :
  Chilled     :      257     2,499,357     25,636    2,525,249     28,377,380
  Frozen      :      215     2,742,876     11,691    2,754,781      5,367,168
              :
  Total       :      472     5,242,232     37,326    5,280,030     33,744,549
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Ready-to-cook weights.  Totals may not add due to rounding.
 
         Poultry Slaughter:  Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Condemnations
           by Type, United States, December 1998 with Comparisons 1/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       :                                    :         :
                       :              Chickens              :         :  Other
                       :------------------------------------:  Ducks  : Poultry
                       :   Young   :   Mature   :   Total   :         :
                       :-------------------------------------------------------
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Ante-Mortem            :
 (Live Weight)         :
                       :
  Nov 1998             :   11,233         690       11,924        15        1
  Dec 1997             :   11,553         973       12,526        13        6
  Dec 1998             :   17,870       1,170       19,041        23        1
                       :
  Jan-Dec 1997         :  130,531      13,893      144,424       149       94
  Jan-Dec 1998         :  167,222      15,482      182,705       188       53
                       :
Percent 2/             :
                       :
  Dec 1997             :     0.37        1.48         0.39      0.09     0.62
  Dec 1998             :     0.55        1.55         0.57      0.17     0.22
                       :
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Post-Mortem            :
 (N.Y. Dressed Weight) :
                       :
  Nov 1998             :   48,502       3,595       52,097       300       12
  Dec 1997             :   47,400       3,658       51,058       295       10
  Dec 1998             :   49,228       4,517       53,744       293        5
                       :
  Jan-Dec 1997         :  571,738      51,506      623,244     2,954      177
  Jan-Dec 1998         :  599,333      50,758      650,091     3,272      152
                       :
Percent 3/             :
                       :
  Dec 1997             :     1.67        6.18         1.77      2.41     1.02
  Dec 1998             :     1.69        6.64         1.80      2.40     0.96
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.
                                                                   -- continued
 
         Poultry Slaughter:  Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Condemnations
     by Type, United States, December 1998 with Comparisons 1/ (continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       :                   Turkeys                  :
                       :--------------------------------------------:   Total
                       : Fryer-   :           :         :   Total   :  Poultry
                       : Roasters :   Young   :   Old   :  Turkeys  :
                       :-------------------------------------------------------
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Ante-Mortem            :
 (Live Weight)         :
                       :
  Nov 1998             :    ---        1,087        15       1,103      13,042
  Dec 1997             :    ---        1,412        23       1,435      13,980
  Dec 1998             :      2        1,474        29       1,504      20,569
                       :
  Jan-Dec 1997         :      2       20,052       313      20,367     165,033
  Jan-Dec 1998         :      3       18,516       413      18,932     201,878
                       :
Percent 2/             :
                       :
  Dec 1997             :    ---         0.24      0.68        0.25        0.37
  Dec 1998             :   0.77         0.27      0.82        0.27        0.53
                       :
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Post-Mortem            :
 (N.Y. Dressed Weight) :
                       :
  Nov 1998             :    ---       10,496       146      10,642      63,051
  Dec 1997             :    ---       11,105       224      11,328      62,691
  Dec 1998             :     14       10,130       207      10,350      64,394
                       :
  Jan-Dec 1997         :     21      136,311     2,540     138,872     765,246
  Jan-Dec 1998         :     22      130,540     2,982     133,543     787,058
                       :
Percent 3/             :
                       :
  Dec 1997             :    ---         2.12      7.49        2.15        1.83
  Dec 1998             :   5.44         2.07      6.60        2.10        1.84
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Federally inspected only.  Totals may not add due to rounding.
2/  Pounds condemned as percent of pounds (live weight) inspected.  Percentages
    based on unrounded data.
3/  Pounds condemned as percent of pounds N.Y. dressed weight of quantity
    inspected.  Percentages based on unrounded data.
 
   Young Chickens Slaughtered:  Number, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight,
              Selected States and United States, December 1997-98
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                       :                           :      Average
       :        Number         :        Live Weight        :    Live Weight
 State :       Inspected       :         Inspected         :     Inspected 1/
       :-----------------------:---------------------------:-------------------
       :   1997    :   1998    :    1997     :    1998     :  1997   :  1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  ------ 1,000 ------      ---- 1,000 Pounds ----     --- Pounds ---
       :
AL     :   74,600      70,952       358,151       352,988     4.80      4.98
AR     :   97,626      96,835       466,274       472,434     4.78      4.88
CA     :   19,852      21,673       104,546       112,139     5.27      5.17
DE     :   21,677      22,294       122,934       128,882     5.67      5.78
FL     :   11,720      11,008        55,602        59,684     4.74      5.42
GA     :   91,992      96,751       451,588       475,484     4.91      4.91
LA     :   12,649      12,977        58,389        58,304     4.62      4.49
MD     :   17,552      16,776        85,275        80,987     4.86      4.83
MS     :   57,372      57,797       272,572       284,805     4.75      4.93
MO     :   28,972      29,363       125,407       132,589     4.33      4.52
NC     :   50,394      53,065       278,104       301,282     5.52      5.68
PA     :    9,305       8,474        47,263        43,428     5.08      5.13
SC     :   18,912      15,891        89,432        76,700     4.73      4.83
TN     :   13,044      16,307        60,547        82,309     4.64      5.05
TX     :   42,689      43,511       194,919       203,837     4.57      4.68
VA     :   29,049      29,084       140,522       142,843     4.84      4.91
WA     :      ---         ---           ---           ---      ---       ---
       :
US     :  647,883     651,561     3,148,429     3,244,007     4.86      4.98
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Average weight based on unrounded data.
 
  Young Chickens Slaughtered:  Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
              Selected States and United States, December 1997-98
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                             :        Post-Mortem Condemnations
       :            Total            :-----------------------------------------
 State :          Certified 1/       :   N.Y. Dressed Weight   :   Percent 2/
       :-----------------------------:-----------------------------------------
       :     1997     :     1998     :    1997    :    1998    : 1997  : 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  ------------------ 1,000 Pounds ------------------     -- Percent --
       :
AL     :    267,131        262,721        7,446        6,120      2.31    1.93
AR     :    338,165        337,432        5,579        5,820      1.33    1.37
CA     :     74,574         79,301        1,540        1,491      1.64    1.48
DE     :     87,625         93,624        2,308        2,593      2.09    2.24
FL     :     39,319         41,321        1,111        2,101      2.22    3.91
GA     :    335,376        348,200        6,504        7,344      1.60    1.72
LA     :     41,377         41,440          931        1,133      1.77    2.16
MD     :     60,250         57,147        1,255        1,303      1.64    1.79
MS     :    208,414        206,945        3,350        4,088      1.37    1.59
MO     :     91,553         95,792        1,706        1,649      1.51    1.38
NC     :    203,658        224,335        4,677        4,536      1.87    1.67
PA     :     33,100         30,756        1,278        1,376      3.00    3.52
SC     :     67,139         55,254        1,667        1,272      2.07    1.84
TN     :     43,796         59,746          582          878      1.07    1.19
TX     :    147,131        155,174        2,456        2,226      1.40    1.21
VA     :     98,337        100,997        1,565        1,568      1.24    1.22
WA     :        ---            ---          ---          ---       ---     ---
       :
US     :  2,305,609      2,359,766       47,400       49,228      1.67    1.69
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Ready-to-cook weights.
2/  Pounds condemned as percent of equivalent N.Y. dressed weight of quantity
    inspected.  Percentages based on unrounded data.
 
      Young Chickens Slaughtered:  Number Condemned Post-Mortem by Cause,
                Selected States and United States, December 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AL     :       ---         ---     178,258      190,799       1,547      19,364
AR     :       ---       3,983     329,269      129,682       7,800       6,529
CA     :       ---       7,525     118,298        6,243       1,105       4,526
DE     :       ---       8,850     117,190       79,147          73         ---
FL     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
GA     :       ---       3,198     167,865      309,486       1,789      13,633
LA     :       ---         226      35,717       38,788          91       2,119
MD     :       ---       5,314      95,803       55,524         ---       9,168
MS     :       ---       4,244     130,860      207,539       2,023       7,180
MO     :       ---       4,958      83,780       23,834       2,083       2,175
NC     :       ---       7,352     146,944       86,681       1,450      67,523
PA     :       ---         ---      36,987       51,230         228         ---
SC     :       ---       1,007      31,763       58,520         ---       3,998
TN     :       ---         ---      54,175       15,747         ---         ---
TX     :       ---         ---     134,406       50,413         527       3,181
VA     :       ---         ---      82,987       40,626         ---         ---
WA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :       ---      70,069   1,972,501    1,422,652      34,634     197,436
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AL     :    13,236      33,932      63,630       13,504     209,468     723,738
AR     :    11,383      37,250      47,383       13,926     103,214     690,419
CA     :       447       7,233       2,852          624      21,204     170,057
DE     :     2,781      11,597      17,306          ---      63,972     300,916
FL     :     1,666       2,149       7,004          ---         ---      10,819
GA     :    13,780      47,699      68,946       11,530     347,148     985,074
LA     :     1,884       9,590         ---          ---      14,834     103,249
MD     :     1,913      13,604         ---        3,629      32,619     217,574
MS     :     5,878      31,861      29,909        6,459     220,957     646,910
MO     :     2,915      15,955      17,393          ---      31,907     185,000
NC     :     8,264      49,560      53,390        4,449     107,356     532,969
PA     :     1,830       2,467         ---          266      38,024     131,032
SC     :     3,183         ---      17,351        6,231      37,959     160,012
TN     :     2,731       7,962         ---          ---      18,314      98,929
TX     :     1,499      16,006      12,837        1,237       8,499     228,605
VA     :     2,473       8,123      11,007          ---      60,597     205,813
WA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :    82,896     343,757     503,670       81,273   1,496,120   6,205,008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Mature Chickens Slaughtered:  Number, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight,
              Selected States and United States, December 1997-98
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                       :                           :      Average
       :        Number         :        Live Weight        :    Live Weight
 State :       Inspected       :         Inspected         :     Inspected 1/
       :-----------------------:---------------------------:-------------------
       :   1997    :   1998    :    1997     :    1998     :  1997   :  1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  ------ 1,000 ------      ---- 1,000 Pounds ----     --- Pounds ---
       :
CA     :      ---         ---           ---           ---      ---       ---
GA     :      ---         ---           ---           ---      ---       ---
       :
US     :   13,621      15,154        65,728        75,556     4.83      4.99
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Average weight based on unrounded data.
 
 
 
 Mature Chickens Slaughtered:  Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
              Selected States and United States, December 1997-98
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                             :        Post-Mortem Condemnations
       :            Total            :-----------------------------------------
 State :          Certified 1/       :   N.Y. Dressed Weight   :   Percent 2/
       :-----------------------------:-----------------------------------------
       :     1997     :     1998     :    1997    :    1998    : 1997  : 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  ------------------ 1,000 Pounds ------------------     -- Percent --
       :
CA     :        ---            ---          ---          ---       ---     ---
GA     :        ---            ---          ---          ---       ---     ---
       :
US     :     40,565         45,809        3,658        4,517      6.18    6.64
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Ready-to-cook weights.
2/  Pounds condemned as percent of equivalent N.Y. dressed weight of quantity
    inspected.  Percentages based on unrounded data.
 
 
      Mature Chickens Slaughtered:  Number Condemned Post-Mortem by Cause,
                Selected States and United States, December 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
CA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
GA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :       ---       8,698     354,955       19,370         851     147,130
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
CA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
GA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :    33,207      36,736     177,750        1,885      48,904     829,486
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     Young Turkeys (Mature) Slaughtered:  Number, Live Weight, and Average
        Live Weight, Selected States and United States, December 1997-98
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                       :                           :      Average
       :        Number         :        Live Weight        :    Live Weight
 State :       Inspected       :         Inspected         :     Inspected 1/
       :-----------------------:---------------------------:-------------------
       :   1997    :   1998    :    1997     :    1998     :  1997   :  1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  ------ 1,000 ------      ---- 1,000 Pounds ----     --- Pounds ---
       :
AR     :    2,097       1,871        36,655        32,053     17.48     17.13
CA     :    1,981       1,681        47,734        40,396     24.09     24.02
IA     :    1,163       1,060        31,379        31,245     26.98     29.48
MN     :    3,435       3,679        75,946        83,679     22.11     22.74
MO     :    2,027       1,766        55,297        49,497     27.28     28.04
NC     :    3,598       2,749        91,974        67,240     25.56     24.46
PA     :      ---         ---           ---           ---       ---       ---
VA     :    2,720       3,236        51,589        69,771     18.96     21.56
       :
US     :   23,472      21,864       580,854       544,079     24.75     24.88
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Average weight based on unrounded data.
 
 
 
 
 
     Young Turkeys (Mature) Slaughtered:  Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem
       Condemnations, Selected States and United States, December 1997-98
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                             :        Post-Mortem Condemnations
       :            Total            :-----------------------------------------
 State :          Certified 1/       :   N.Y. Dressed Weight   :   Percent 2/
       :-----------------------------:-----------------------------------------
       :     1997     :     1998     :    1997    :    1998    : 1997  : 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  ------------------ 1,000 Pounds ------------------     -- Percent --
       :
AR     :     28,898         25,427          455          524      1.38    1.82
CA     :     37,795         32,384          748          556      1.74    1.53
IA     :     24,321         23,934          747          658      2.64    2.34
MN     :     59,870         66,694        2,125        2,199      3.11    2.92
MO     :     43,279         39,774        1,203          991      2.42    2.23
NC     :     73,994         53,137        1,441        1,065      1.74    1.76
PA     :        ---            ---          ---          ---       ---     ---
VA     :     40,385         54,067          757          971      1.63    1.55
       :
US     :    457,926        427,666       11,105       10,130      2.12    2.07
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Ready-to-cook weights.
2/  Pounds condemned as percent of equivalent N.Y. dressed weight of quantity
    inspected.  Percentages based on unrounded data.
 
  Young Turkeys (Mature) Slaughtered:  Number Condemned Post-Mortem by Cause,
                Selected States and United States, December 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AR     :       ---         ---       4,673          ---         ---         ---
CA     :       ---         ---       9,313          140         ---         ---
IA     :       ---         ---       4,367        1,521         ---           9
MN     :       ---         ---      16,114        2,272         ---         ---
MO     :       ---         ---      14,518          ---         ---         ---
NC     :       ---         ---       5,423          ---         ---         ---
PA     :       ---         ---         ---          645         ---         ---
VA     :       ---          12       3,942          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :       ---         134      83,603       11,508       4,760         162
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AR     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---       4,673
CA     :        15         ---         ---          ---         ---       9,468
IA     :        50         ---         459          ---         ---       6,406
MN     :       153       1,089       1,394          ---       1,641      22,663
MO     :       ---         341         ---          ---       1,894      16,753
NC     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         823       6,246
PA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         663       1,308
VA     :        19       1,351         209          ---       1,399       6,932
       :
US     :       910       9,144       9,599        2,878      44,122     166,820
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Old Turkeys (Breeders) Slaughtered:  Number Condemned Post-Mortem by Cause,
                          United States, December 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
US     :       ---          22       3,312          578          19          35
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
US     :       ---         157          68            7       1,327       5,525
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
                    Poultry Slaughter Estimates
 
Data Sources:  Primary data for commercial poultry slaughter estimates are
               obtained from the Poultry Inspection Form (FSIS 6000-21)
completed by inspectors of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), USDA.
This form provides actual counts of birds slaughtered in Federally Inspected
(FI) plants.  Over 99 percent of the total U.S. slaughter for any species is
under FI.  The FSIS 6000-21 forms collect number of head slaughtered daily under
FI by species and class as well as condemnations and total live and dressed
weights.  Approximately 350 plants in the U.S. are operated under Federal
Inspection.  Annual totals of poultry slaughtered under State-administered
Non-Federal Inspection (NFI) are published in the April release.
 
 
Revision Policy:  Revisions are generally the result of late reports received
                  by FSIS from plants and are usually less than one-half of
1 percent of the preliminary totals.  Revisions for the previous month and
year-to-date totals are published in each monthly release.  Final data are
published in the annual summary released in April and reflect any late reports
or corrections which occurred after the monthly revision were published.
 
 
Procedures and Reliability:  Plant inspectors submit forms (FSIS 6000-21)
                             weekly summarizing the plant's activity.  When
inconsistencies in the data are detected, the reports are returned to the
inspectors for correction.  Inspectors correct or validate the report and
resubmit it.  The reports cover weekly activities through Saturday night and
reported data are allocated to the appropriate month as it enters the database.
 
A NASS computer program provides a review of current data with historical data
for each plant.  An edit provides checks for the detection of errors such as
invalid plant information, duplication, and erroneous data.  The program also
generates a missing reports listing for a telephone follow-up.  Data are
summarized weekly and accumulated to a monthly total for this release.
 
Major slaughter plants with missing reports are adjusted prior to publication to
assure that all plants slaughtering a significant portion of a specific class
are accounted for each week.  Estimates for missing weeks are made only after
verifying that the plant was in operation.  Adjustments are based on either the
previous week's information or a week determined to be similar to the one
missing.  Late reports replace imputed data as they become available.  While
there will continue to be a varying degree of incompleteness from month to
month, it is expected to have only a minimal impact on the final totals.
 
Poultry slaughter estimates are based on a census of operating plants and,
therefore, have no sampling error.  However, they may be subject to errors such
as omissions, duplications, and mistakes in reporting, recording, and processing
the data.  These errors are minimized through strict quality controls in the
edit and summarization process, and a careful review of all reported data for
consistency and reasonableness.
 
Generally, no State data are published if less than three plants operate for a
species in a State, or if one plant has 60 percent or more of the total head for
that species.  These data are included in the U.S. totals.
 
    Definitions Used To Report Federally Inspected Slaughter
 
 
 
Ante-Mortem Condemnations -  Birds condemned prior to their entry into the
                             slaughter plant.
 
 
Certified Ready-to-Cook - The weight of poultry certified wholesome by
                          inspection after post-mortem condemnation pounds are
                          removed.  Ready-to-cook represents poultry meat ready
                          for the marketing channel.
 
Ducks - Includes all ducks regardless of age and weight.
 
 
Fryer-Roaster Turkeys - Young immature birds, usually under 16 weeks of age.
 
 
Mature Chickens - Fowl from breeder and market egg flocks and stags and cocks.
 
 
New York Dressed Weight - Carcass weight after only feathers and blood
                          are removed.  This weight is approximately
                          90% of live weight.
 
 
Old Turkeys (Breeders) - Fully matured birds held for egg production, usually
                         over 15 months of age.
 
 
Other Poultry - Includes all other ready-to-cook products which bear the
                U.S.D.A. Inspected for Wholesomeness legend.
 
 
Post-Mortem Condemnations - Carcasses or parts condemned by the inspector
                            because of disease or mishandling and removed
                            from the slaughter line and destroyed.
 
 
Young Chickens - Commercially grown broilers-fryers and other young immature
                 birds such as roasters and capons.
 
 
Young Turkeys (Mature) - Young birds grown to a matured market age, about
                         5 months.
 
 
                               Index
 
 
 
 
 
                                                               Page
 
 
 
Definitions..............................................................   16
 
Mature Chickens Number Inspected, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight,
 U.S., December 1997-1998................................................   11
 
Mature Chickens Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 Selected States and U.S., December 1997-1998............................   11
 
Mature Chickens Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
 U.S., December 1997-1998................................................   11
 
Old Turkeys (Breeders) Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 U.S., December 1997-1998................................................   14
 
Poultry Chilled and Frozen Pounds Certified (RTC) by Type,
 U.S., December 1997.....................................................    4
 
Poultry Slaughter Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Condemnations
 by Type, U.S., December 1997............................................    6
 
Poultry Slaughter Number Inspected, Live Weight, and Average
 Live Weight by Type, U.S., December 1997................................    2
 
Reliability Statement....................................................   15
 
Young Chickens Number Inspected, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight,
 Selected States and U.S., December 1997-1998............................    8
 
Young Chickens Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 Selected States and U.S., December 1997-1998............................   10
 
Young Chickens Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
 Selected States and U.S., December 1997-1998............................    9
 
Young Turkeys (Mature) Number Inspected, Live Weight, and Average
 Live Weight, Selected States and U.S., December 1997-1998...............   12
 
Young Turkeys (Mature) Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 Selected States and U.S., December 1997-1998............................   13
 
Young Turkeys (Mature) Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
 Selected States and U.S., December 1997-1998............................   12
 
 
 
 
 The next "Poultry Slaughter" report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on
March 2, 1999.
 
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital
or familial status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative
means for communication of program information (braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600
(voice and TDD).
 
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA,
Washington, D.C., 20250, or call 1-800-245-6340 (voice) or 202-720-1127
(TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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