Poultry
Slaughter
National
Agricultural
Statistics
Service
 
USDA Washington, D.C.
Released May 4, 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) 720-058 or
Mike Barker (202)720-3243, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
 
 
 
                 Ready-to-Cook Weight Up 8 Percent
 
Poultry certified wholesome during March (ready-to-cook weight), totaled
3.06 billion pounds, up 8 percent from the amount certified in March
1998. Updated totals for February 1998 show that 2.67 billion pounds
were certified.
 
The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during March 1999
was 4.15 billion pounds. Inspections included 3.50 billion pounds of
young chickens, 81.3 million pounds of mature chickens, 548 million
pounds of turkeys, and 13.3 million pounds of ducks.
 
Young chickens slaughtered during March 1999 averaged 5.03 pounds per
bird, up 3 percent from 1998. The average live weight of mature chickens
was 5.04 pounds per bird, down 1 percent from a year ago. Turkeys
slaughtered during March 1999 averaged 25.4 pounds per bird, up 1
percent from March 1998.
 
Ante-mortem condemnations during March 1999 totaled 16.4 million pounds.
Condemnations were 0.39 percent of the live weight inspected, compared
with 0.42 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at 72.8
million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.95 percent of quantities
inspected, compared with 2.05 percent a year earlier.
 
March 1999 contained 23 weekdays and four Saturdays, while March 1998
contained 22 weekdays and four Saturdays.
 
 
 
 
        Poultry Slaughter:  Number, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight
             by Type, United States, March 1999 with Comparisons 1/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                                       :         :
                    :               Chickens                :         :  Other
                    :---------------------------------------:  Ducks  : Poultry
                    :    Young    : Mature 2/ :    Total    :         :
                    :----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                        1,000 Head
Number Inspected    :
                    :
  Feb 1999          :     615,952      13,425       629,377     1,841   -----
  Mar 1998          :     653,139      13,014       666,154     1,887   -----
  Mar 1999          :     696,453      16,144       712,597     1,989   -----
                    :
  Jan-Mar 1998      :   1,929,419      40,476     1,969,895     5,631   -----
  Jan-Mar 1999      :   1,975,982      44,804     2,020,786     5,758   -----
                    :
                    :                       1,000 Pounds
Live Weight         :
                    :
  Feb 1999          :   3,076,610      69,253     3,145,863    12,292      631
  Mar 1998          :   3,197,296      66,330     3,263,626    12,575    1,070
  Mar 1999          :   3,502,651      81,342     3,583,993    13,325      919
                    :
  Jan-Mar 1998      :   9,360,824     205,192     9,566,016    37,602    3,192
  Jan-Mar 1999      :   9,896,838     226,102    10,122,940    38,586    2,369
                    :
                    :                          Pounds
Average Live Weight :
                    :
  Feb 1999          :        4.99        5.16          5.00      6.68   -----
  Mar 1998          :        4.90        5.10          4.90      6.66   -----
  Mar 1999          :        5.03        5.04          5.03      6.70   -----
                    :
  Jan-Mar 1998      :        4.85        5.07          4.86      6.68   -----
  Jan-Mar 1999      :        5.01        5.05          5.01      6.70   -----
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.
                                                                   -- continued
 
        Poultry Slaughter:  Number, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight
       by Type, United States, March 1999 with Comparisons 1/ (continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                   Turkeys                  :
                    :--------------------------------------------:    Total
                    : Fryer-   :           :         :   Total   :   Poultry
                    : Roasters : Young  3/ :   Old   :  Turkeys  :
                    :----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                        1,000 Head
Number Inspected    :
                    :
  Feb 1999          :     ---       17,788       140      17,928      -----
  Mar 1998          :     ---       22,320       136      22,456      -----
  Mar 1999          :     ---       21,424       140      21,564      -----
                    :
  Jan-Mar 1998      :     ---       64,596       460      65,056      -----
  Jan-Mar 1999      :     ---       58,987       378      59,365      -----
                    :
                    :                       1,000 Pounds
Live Weight         :
                    :
  Feb 1999          :     ---      454,734     3,759     458,493     3,617,279
  Mar 1998          :     ---      559,013     4,009     563,022     3,840,293
  Mar 1999          :     ---      544,451     3,789     548,241     4,146,477
                    :
  Jan-Mar 1998      :     ---    1,624,963    12,615   1,637,579    11,244,388
  Jan-Mar 1999      :     ---    1,518,161    10,189   1,528,350    11,692,244
                    :
                    :                          Pounds
Average Live Weight :
                    :
  Feb 1999          :     ---        25.56     26.82       25.57      -----
  Mar 1998          :     ---        25.05     29.40       25.07      -----
  Mar 1999          :     ---        25.41     27.05       25.42      -----
                    :
  Jan-Mar 1998      :     ---        25.16     27.40       25.17      -----
  Jan-Mar 1999      :     ---        25.74     26.98       25.74      -----
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:  March 1998:  5,073,
    March 1999:  6,027.
3/  Of the Young Turkeys inspected, the number reported in thousands as
    young breeders was:  March 1998:    116, March 1999:     89.
 
 
       Poultry Slaughter:  Chilled and Frozen, Pounds Certified by Type,
                 United States, March 1999 with Comparisons 1/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              :                                             :         :
              :                   Chickens                  :         :  Other
              :---------------------------------------------:  Ducks  : Poultry
              :     Young     :    Mature    :    Total     :         :
              :----------------------------------------------------------------
              :                          1,000 Pounds
Feb 1999      :
  Chilled     :    2,059,489        37,747       2,097,236      3,611      230
  Frozen      :      194,003         3,822         197,825      4,904      123
              :
  Total       :    2,253,492        41,569       2,295,060      8,514      353
              :
Mar 1998      :
  Chilled     :    2,115,387        37,317       2,152,703      3,051      370
  Frozen      :      217,191         2,894         220,085      5,870      211
              :
  Total       :    2,332,577        40,211       2,372,789      8,921      582
              :
Mar 1999      :
  Chilled     :    2,339,982        46,379       2,386,361      3,701      330
  Frozen      :      227,216         3,130         230,347      5,628      201
              :
  Total       :    2,567,199        49,509       2,616,708      9,329      531
              :
              :
Jan-Mar 1998  :
  Chilled     :    6,217,914       113,836       6,331,750      9,234    1,155
  Frozen      :      628,080         9,614         637,694     17,421      659
              :
  Total       :    6,845,994       123,450       6,969,444     26,656    1,814
              :
Jan-Mar 1999  :
  Chilled     :    6,616,179       126,563       6,742,742     10,677      901
  Frozen      :      629,570        10,074         639,644     16,282      446
              :
  Total       :    7,245,750       136,637       7,382,387     26,959    1,347
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.
                                                                   -- continued
 
       Poultry Slaughter:  Chilled and Frozen, Pounds Certified by Type,
           United States, March 1999 with Comparisons 1/ (continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              :                     Turkeys                    :
              :------------------------------------------------:     Total
              :  Fryer-    :           :           :   Total   :    Poultry
              :  Roasters  :   Young   :    Old    :  Turkeys  :
              :----------------------------------------------------------------
              :                          1,000 Pounds
Feb 1999      :
  Chilled     :      ---       166,382      2,002      168,385      2,269,461
  Frozen      :      ---       193,203        803      194,006        396,858
              :
  Total       :      ---       359,585      2,806      362,391      2,666,319
              :
Mar 1998      :
  Chilled     :      ---       214,576      2,357      216,933      2,373,059
  Frozen      :      ---       223,193        801      223,994        450,160
              :
  Total       :      ---       437,769      3,158      440,927      2,823,219
              :
Mar 1999      :
  Chilled     :      ---       204,008      2,091      206,099      2,596,491
  Frozen      :      ---       222,825        772      223,597        459,773
              :
  Total       :      ---       426,834      2,862      429,696      3,056,264
              :
              :
Jan-Mar 1998  :
  Chilled     :      ---       618,341      6,395      624,736      6,966,875
  Frozen      :      ---       657,675      3,128      660,803      1,316,578
              :
  Total       :      ---     1,276,015      9,524    1,285,539      8,283,452
              :
Jan-Mar 1999  :
  Chilled     :      ---       569,820      5,559      575,380      7,329,700
  Frozen      :      ---       625,524      2,057      627,581      1,283,954
              :
  Total       :      ---     1,195,344      7,617    1,202,961      8,613,654
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Ready-to-cook weights.  Totals may not add due to rounding.
 
         Poultry Slaughter:  Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Condemnations
             by Type, United States, March 1999 with Comparisons 1/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       :                                    :         :
                       :              Chickens              :         :  Other
                       :------------------------------------:  Ducks  : Poultry
                       :   Young   :   Mature   :   Total   :         :
                       :-------------------------------------------------------
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Ante-Mortem            :
 (Live Weight)         :
                       :
  Feb 1999             :   12,660         849       13,509        13        4
  Mar 1998             :   13,392         774       14,165        11        1
  Mar 1999             :   13,991         983       14,974        18        6
                       :
  Jan-Mar 1998         :   38,066       3,008       41,075        34        6
  Jan-Mar 1999         :   42,861       3,056       45,917        49       14
                       :
Percent 2/             :
                       :
  Mar 1998             :     0.42        1.17         0.43      0.08     0.13
  Mar 1999             :     0.40        1.21         0.42      0.13     0.69
                       :
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Post-Mortem            :
 (N.Y. Dressed Weight) :
                       :
  Feb 1999             :   48,316       4,305       52,621       294        5
  Mar 1998             :   53,817       4,389       58,206       266        9
  Mar 1999             :   56,384       4,890       61,273       312        7
                       :
  Jan-Mar 1998         :  153,371      12,628      165,999       784       27
  Jan-Mar 1999         :  159,841      13,852      173,693       897       16
                       :
Percent 3/             :
                       :
  Mar 1998             :     1.87        7.35         1.98      2.35     0.95
  Mar 1999             :     1.79        6.68         1.90      2.60     0.79
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.
                                                                   -- continued
 
 
         Poultry Slaughter:  Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Condemnations
       by Type, United States, March 1999 with Comparisons 1/ (continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       :                   Turkeys                  :
                       :--------------------------------------------:   Total
                       : Fryer-   :           :         :   Total   :  Poultry
                       : Roasters :   Young   :   Old   :  Turkeys  :
                       :-------------------------------------------------------
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Ante-Mortem            :
 (Live Weight)         :
                       :
  Feb 1999             :    ---        1,126        35       1,161      14,688
  Mar 1998             :    ---        1,756        31       1,787      15,964
  Mar 1999             :    ---        1,323        38       1,361      16,359
                       :
  Jan-Mar 1998         :    ---        4,719        99       4,818      45,932
  Jan-Mar 1999         :    ---        4,193       102       4,295      50,275
                       :
Percent 2/             :
                       :
  Mar 1998             :    ---         0.31      0.77        0.32        0.42
  Mar 1999             :    ---         0.24      0.99        0.25        0.39
                       :
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Post-Mortem            :
 (N.Y. Dressed Weight) :
                       :
  Feb 1999             :    ---        9,292       227       9,519      62,438
  Mar 1998             :    ---       12,044       243      12,287      70,768
  Mar 1999             :    ---       11,021       234      11,256      72,848
                       :
  Jan-Mar 1998         :    ---       34,754       900      35,654     202,465
  Jan-Mar 1999         :    ---       30,896       697      31,593     206,198
                       :
Percent 3/             :
                       :
  Mar 1998             :    ---         2.39      6.73        2.42        2.05
  Mar 1999             :    ---         2.25      6.87        2.28        1.95
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, March 1998-99
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                       :                           :      Average
       :        Number         :        Live Weight        :    Live Weight
 State :       Inspected       :         Inspected         :     Inspected 1/
       :-----------------------:---------------------------:-------------------
       :   1998    :   1999    :    1998     :    1999     :  1998   :  1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  ------ 1,000 ------      ---- 1,000 Pounds ----     --- Pounds ---
       :
AL     :   69,588      78,881       350,228       402,580     5.03      5.10
AR     :  100,684     105,663       485,183       516,553     4.82      4.89
CA     :   20,217      22,339       103,725       119,748     5.13      5.36
DE     :   22,751      23,190       126,746       135,489     5.57      5.84
FL     :   11,044      11,252        53,042        60,473     4.80      5.37
GA     :   94,959     102,103       473,409       505,627     4.99      4.95
LA     :   11,712      14,187        53,859        62,389     4.60      4.40
MD     :   17,637      17,733        82,857        85,014     4.70      4.79
MS     :   57,310      62,019       275,920       318,298     4.81      5.13
MO     :   28,291      30,663       119,167       138,960     4.21      4.53
NC     :   52,661      52,036       290,517       298,889     5.52      5.74
PA     :    9,505       9,484        48,628        50,392     5.12      5.31
SC     :   19,367      18,386        90,048        88,952     4.65      4.84
TN     :   15,105      17,429        68,115        87,295     4.51      5.01
TX     :   41,850      45,932       196,722       219,111     4.70      4.77
VA     :   28,774      30,363       138,777       147,935     4.82      4.87
WA     :      ---         ---           ---           ---      ---       ---
       :
US     :  653,139     696,453     3,197,296     3,502,651     4.90      5.03
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Average weight based on unrounded data.
 
  Young Chickens Slaughtered:  Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
                Selected States and United States, March 1998-99
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                             :        Post-Mortem Condemnations
       :            Total            :-----------------------------------------
 State :          Certified 1/       :   N.Y. Dressed Weight   :   Percent 2/
       :-----------------------------:-----------------------------------------
       :     1998     :     1999     :    1998    :    1999    : 1998  : 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  ------------------ 1,000 Pounds ------------------     -- Percent --
       :
AL     :    254,144        300,828        7,867        8,850      2.50    2.44
AR     :    345,874        375,021        6,327        7,356      1.45    1.58
CA     :     73,347         87,909        1,669        1,581      1.79    1.47
DE     :     92,033         98,989        2,630        3,112      2.31    2.55
FL     :     37,975         43,197        1,147        1,115      2.40    2.05
GA     :    351,279        372,175        8,105        8,689      1.90    1.91
LA     :     37,585         43,628          971        1,485      2.00    2.64
MD     :     60,071         60,825        1,284        1,373      1.72    1.79
MS     :    211,479        233,673        5,047        3,996      2.03    1.39
MO     :     87,147        102,167        1,468        1,623      1.37    1.30
NC     :    215,567        224,850        5,081        5,039      1.94    1.87
PA     :     32,988         34,937        1,363        1,330      3.11    2.93
SC     :     66,085         65,608        2,026        1,696      2.50    2.12
TN     :     49,257         63,848          716          947      1.17    1.21
TX     :    148,660        163,873        2,661        2,605      1.50    1.32
VA     :     96,417        103,144        1,850        1,878      1.48    1.41
WA     :        ---            ---          ---          ---       ---     ---
       :
US     :  2,332,577      2,567,199       53,817       56,384      1.87    1.79
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, March 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AL     :       ---       2,246     227,282      503,595       2,300      18,692
AR     :       ---       4,068     374,856      183,660       8,684       7,136
CA     :       ---       7,734     122,142        6,199       1,579       4,932
DE     :       ---      11,979     118,500      123,684         110         ---
FL     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
GA     :       ---      23,739     181,067      459,521         ---      12,304
LA     :       ---         ---      44,257          ---         160       2,056
MD     :       ---       7,819     111,761       65,227         102      12,087
MS     :       ---       3,338     162,434      123,995       1,938       4,401
MO     :       ---       3,969     103,624       50,853       3,136       2,119
NC     :       ---         ---     175,507      121,107         ---      62,343
PA     :       ---         ---      46,446       44,881         222         ---
SC     :       ---       2,770      35,581       72,835          38         ---
TN     :       ---         339      61,039       23,310         ---         ---
TX     :       ---         ---     148,332       89,169       1,209       2,821
VA     :       ---         ---      90,174       95,975         112         ---
WA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :       ---     134,056   2,261,631    2,124,483      35,198     197,892
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AL     :    10,466      40,099      61,834       16,767     304,731   1,188,012
AR     :    12,308      41,864      55,173        4,328     154,900     846,977
CA     :       796       6,325       2,890          ---      27,294     179,891
DE     :     2,781      11,762      16,902        3,799      64,860     354,377
FL     :     1,605       3,698       7,426          161         ---      12,890
GA     :    13,667      46,279      64,987        9,549     510,289   1,321,402
LA     :     1,720       8,207         ---          ---      18,687      75,087
MD     :     2,007       8,698         ---        1,456      35,735     244,892
MS     :     5,745      36,655      31,306          753     148,809     519,374
MO     :     2,590      15,597      18,175          712      34,592     235,367
NC     :     6,804      38,585      41,653        6,903     127,727     580,629
PA     :     2,353       3,567         ---          ---      37,351     134,820
SC     :     4,698      18,878       9,133        3,012      72,089     219,034
TN     :     2,899       9,240         ---        1,753      25,138     123,718
TX     :     1,838      13,503      18,473          ---      14,114     289,459
VA     :     2,342       9,950       9,115        1,714      72,702     282,084
WA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :    80,886     339,315     477,661       58,553   1,807,263   7,516,938
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Mature Chickens Slaughtered:  Number, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight,
                Selected States and United States, March 1998-99
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                       :                           :      Average
       :        Number         :        Live Weight        :    Live Weight
 State :       Inspected       :         Inspected         :     Inspected 1/
       :-----------------------:---------------------------:-------------------
       :   1998    :   1999    :    1998     :    1999     :  1998   :  1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  ------ 1,000 ------      ---- 1,000 Pounds ----     --- Pounds ---
       :
CA     :      ---         ---           ---           ---      ---       ---
GA     :      ---         ---           ---           ---      ---       ---
       :
US     :   13,014      16,144        66,330        81,342     5.10      5.04
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Average weight based on unrounded data.
 
 
 
 
 
 Mature Chickens Slaughtered:  Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
                Selected States and United States, March 1998-99
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                             :        Post-Mortem Condemnations
       :            Total            :-----------------------------------------
 State :          Certified 1/       :   N.Y. Dressed Weight   :   Percent 2/
       :-----------------------------:-----------------------------------------
       :     1998     :     1999     :    1998    :    1999    : 1998  : 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  ------------------ 1,000 Pounds ------------------     -- Percent --
       :
CA     :        ---            ---          ---          ---       ---     ---
GA     :        ---            ---          ---          ---       ---     ---
       :
US     :     40,211         49,509        4,389        4,890      7.35    6.68
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, March 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
CA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
GA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :       ---       6,619     382,244       17,678         821     166,055
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
CA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
GA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :    36,301      48,526     221,261        2,144      68,324     949,973
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     Young Turkeys (Mature) Slaughtered:  Number, Live Weight, and Average
         Live Weight, Selected States and United States, March 1998-99
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                       :                           :      Average
       :        Number         :        Live Weight        :    Live Weight
 State :       Inspected       :         Inspected         :     Inspected 1/
       :-----------------------:---------------------------:-------------------
       :   1998    :   1999    :    1998     :    1999     :  1998   :  1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  ------ 1,000 ------      ---- 1,000 Pounds ----     --- Pounds ---
       :
AR     :    2,321       2,312        42,100        43,586     18.14     18.85
CA     :    1,590       1,365        36,228        30,826     22.78     22.59
IA     :    1,087       1,369        29,117        41,563     26.78     30.35
MN     :    3,251       2,924        78,595        72,627     24.17     24.84
MO     :    2,046       1,945        55,925        54,636     27.33     28.09
NC     :    3,691       2,629        95,198        64,736     25.79     24.62
PA     :      ---         ---           ---           ---       ---       ---
VA     :      ---         ---           ---           ---       ---       ---
       :
US     :   22,320      21,424       559,013       544,451     25.05     25.41
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Average weight based on unrounded data.
 
 
 
 
 
     Young Turkeys (Mature) Slaughtered:  Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem
        Condemnations, Selected States and United States, March 1998-99
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                             :        Post-Mortem Condemnations
       :            Total            :-----------------------------------------
 State :          Certified 1/       :   N.Y. Dressed Weight   :   Percent 2/
       :-----------------------------:-----------------------------------------
       :     1998     :     1999     :    1998    :    1999    : 1998  : 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  ------------------ 1,000 Pounds ------------------     -- Percent --
       :
AR     :     34,815         35,714          693          636      1.83    1.62
CA     :     28,372         25,046          476          420      1.46    1.51
IA     :     22,549         32,293          714        1,160      2.72    3.10
MN     :     61,221         57,489        2,246        1,805      3.18    2.76
MO     :     43,888         43,633        1,275        1,218      2.53    2.48
NC     :     75,901         49,610        1,898        1,050      2.22    1.80
PA     :        ---            ---          ---          ---       ---     ---
VA     :        ---            ---          ---          ---       ---     ---
       :
US     :    437,769        426,834       12,044       11,021      2.39    2.25
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, March 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AR     :       ---         ---       5,074          390         ---         ---
CA     :       ---           8       7,236           47         ---         ---
IA     :       ---         ---         ---        3,763         ---         ---
MN     :       ---         ---      14,070        4,023         ---         ---
MO     :       ---         ---      18,358          ---         ---         ---
NC     :       ---         ---       5,346          ---         ---         ---
PA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
VA     :       ---         ---       5,027          246         ---         ---
       :
US     :       ---          46      93,316       18,266       5,999         106
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AR     :        38         ---         ---          ---         ---       5,502
CA     :       ---         ---         317           33         ---       7,641
IA     :        79         ---         690          ---         ---       4,532
MN     :       ---         578         774          ---       1,565      21,010
MO     :       ---         ---         525          ---       1,680      20,563
NC     :       111       1,606         ---          ---         681       7,744
PA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
VA     :        43         ---         222          ---       1,524       7,062
       :
US     :     1,026       8,554       8,822        1,877      10,576     148,588
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
  Old Turkeys (Breeders) Slaughtered:  Number Condemned Post-Mortem by Cause,
                           United States, March 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
US     :       ---         ---       2,089          829         ---          74
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
US     :        10         141         186            6         528       3,863
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
                    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., March 1998-1999...................................................   11
 
Mature Chickens Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 Selected States and U.S., March 1998-1999...............................   11
 
Mature Chickens Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
 U.S., March 1998-1999...................................................   11
 
Old Turkeys (Breeders) Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 U.S., March 1998-1999...................................................   14
 
Poultry Chilled and Frozen Pounds Certified (RTC) by Type,
 U.S., March 1998........................................................    4
 
Poultry Slaughter Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Condemnations
 by Type, U.S., March 1998...............................................    6
 
Poultry Slaughter Number Inspected, Live Weight, and Average
 Live Weight by Type, U.S., March 1998...................................    2
 
Reliability Statement....................................................   15
 
Young Chickens Number Inspected, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight,
 Selected States and U.S., March 1998-1999...............................    8
 
Young Chickens Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 Selected States and U.S., March 1998-1999...............................   10
 
Young Chickens Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
 Selected States and U.S., March 1998-1999...............................    9
 
Young Turkeys (Mature) Number Inspected, Live Weight, and Average
 Live Weight, Selected States and U.S., March 1998-1999..................   12
 
Young Turkeys (Mature) Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 Selected States and U.S., March 1998-1999...............................   13
 
Young Turkeys (Mature) Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
 Selected States and U.S., March 1998-1999...............................   12
 
 
 
 
 The next "Poultry Slaughter" report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on
June 3, 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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