Poultry
Slaughter


National
Agricultural
Statistics
Service
 
USDA
Washington, D.C.
 
 
Released January 6, 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 7 Percent
 
Poultry Certified Wholesome during November (ready-to-cook weight),
totaled 2.69 billion pounds, up 7 percent from the amount certified in
November 1997. Updated totals for October 1998 show that 3.02 billion
pounds were certified.
 
The preliminary total Live Weight of Poultry Inspected during November
1998 was 3.65 billion pounds. Inspections included 2.99 billion pounds
of young chickens, 60.4 million pounds of mature chickens, 587 million
pounds of turkeys, and 12.5 million pounds of ducks.
 
Young chickens slaughtered during November 1998 averaged 4.99 pounds per
bird, up 2 percent from last year. The average live weight of mature
chickens was 5.37 pounds per bird, 5 percent more than a year ago.
Turkeys slaughtered during November 1998 averaged 24.2 pounds per bird,
up 3 percent from November 1997.
 
Ante-mortem condemnations during November 1998 totaled 12.9 million
pounds. Condemnations were 0.35 percent of the live weight inspected,
compared with 0.33 percent a year earlier. Post-mortem condemnations, at
62.5 million pounds (N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.90 percent of
quantities inspected, compared with 1.84 percent a year earlier.
 
November 1998 contained 21 weekdays (including two holidays) and four
Saturdays, while November 1997 contained 20 weekdays (including two
holidays) and five Saturdays.
 
 
Pou 2-1 (1-99)
 
        Poultry Slaughter:  Number, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight
           by Type, United States, November 1998 with Comparisons 1/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                                       :         :
                    :               Chickens                :         :  Other
                    :---------------------------------------:  Ducks  : Poultry
                    :    Young    : Mature 2/ :    Total    :         :
                    :----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                        1,000 Head
Number Inspected    :
                    :
  Oct 1998          :     686,139      13,834       699,972     2,055   -----
  Nov 1997          :     564,133      11,894       576,027     1,555   -----
  Nov 1998          :     598,230      11,240       609,471     1,903   -----
                    :
  Jan-Nov 1997      :   7,088,020     154,015     7,242,035    19,936   -----
  Jan-Nov 1998      :   7,171,830     154,299     7,326,129    21,407   -----
                    :
                    :                       1,000 Pounds
Live Weight         :
                    :
  Oct 1998          :   3,381,079      70,739     3,451,818    13,529    1,929
  Nov 1997          :   2,748,232      61,070     2,809,302    10,409    1,004
  Nov 1998          :   2,985,256      60,415     3,045,671    12,482      870
                    :
  Jan-Nov 1997      :  34,058,972     773,474    34,832,446   132,942   16,696
  Jan-Nov 1998      :  34,741,044     789,794    35,530,838   140,908   13,661
                    :
                    :                          Pounds
Average Live Weight :
                    :
  Oct 1998          :        4.93        5.11          4.93      6.58   -----
  Nov 1997          :        4.87        5.13          4.88      6.69   -----
  Nov 1998          :        4.99        5.37          5.00      6.56   -----
                    :
  Jan-Nov 1997      :        4.81        5.02          4.81      6.67   -----
  Jan-Nov 1998      :        4.84        5.12          4.85      6.58   -----
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.
                                                                   -- continued
 
        Poultry Slaughter:  Number, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight
     by Type, United States, November 1998 with Comparisons 1/ (continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                   Turkeys                  :
                    :--------------------------------------------:    Total
                    : Fryer-   :           :         :   Total   :   Poultry
                    : Roasters : Young  3/ :   Old   :  Turkeys  :
                    :----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                        1,000 Head
Number Inspected    :
                    :
  Oct 1998          :       1       24,585       194      24,779      -----
  Nov 1997          :     ---       24,385       138      24,523      -----
  Nov 1998          :       2       24,161       100      24,264      -----
                    :
  Jan-Nov 1997      :      68      264,928     1,638     266,634      -----
  Jan-Nov 1998      :      43      249,025     1,742     250,810      -----
                    :
                    :                       1,000 Pounds
Live Weight         :
                    :
  Oct 1998          :       5      593,823     5,043     598,871     4,066,148
  Nov 1997          :     ---      574,354     3,787     578,140     3,398,856
  Nov 1998          :      18      584,404     2,725     587,147     3,646,170
                    :
  Jan-Nov 1997      :     658    6,327,585    42,071   6,370,315    41,352,398
  Jan-Nov 1998      :     380    6,128,209    45,521   6,174,110    41,859,517
                    :
                    :                          Pounds
Average Live Weight :
                    :
  Oct 1998          :   10.15        24.15     25.97       24.17      -----
  Nov 1997          :     ---        23.55     27.35       23.58      -----
  Nov 1998          :    7.41        24.19     27.31       24.20      -----
                    :
  Jan-Nov 1997      :    9.62        23.88     25.69       23.89      -----
  Jan-Nov 1998      :    8.89        24.61     26.13       24.62      -----
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:  November 1997:  4,731,
    November 1998:  4,751.
3/  Of the Young Turkeys inspected, the number reported in thousands as
    young breeders was:  November 1997:     64, November 1998:     43.
 
       Poultry Slaughter:  Chilled and Frozen, Pounds Certified by Type,
                United States, November 1998 with Comparisons 1/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              :                                             :         :
              :                   Chickens                  :         :  Other
              :---------------------------------------------:  Ducks  : Poultry
              :     Young     :    Mature    :    Total     :         :
              :----------------------------------------------------------------
              :                          1,000 Pounds
Oct 1998      :
  Chilled     :    2,266,875        39,906       2,306,781      3,410      503
  Frozen      :      226,530         5,018         231,549      6,280      656
              :
  Total       :    2,493,405        44,924       2,538,330      9,690    1,159
              :
Nov 1997      :
  Chilled     :    1,825,960        35,999       1,861,959      2,625      352
  Frozen      :      199,540         1,912         201,452      4,788      217
              :
  Total       :    2,025,500        37,911       2,063,411      7,413      569
              :
Nov 1998      :
  Chilled     :    1,978,865        35,364       2,014,229      3,626      241
  Frozen      :      205,191         1,606         206,797      5,101      270
              :
  Total       :    2,184,056        36,969       2,221,026      8,728      511
              :
              :
Jan-Nov 1997  :
  Chilled     :   22,718,053       443,368      23,161,421     33,212    5,261
  Frozen      :    2,247,078        25,313       2,272,392     61,555    4,226
              :
  Total       :   24,965,131       468,682      25,433,813     94,767    9,487
              :
Jan-Nov 1998  :
  Chilled     :   23,165,158       438,850      23,604,008     35,163    4,381
  Frozen      :    2,289,577        38,812       2,328,389     65,101    3,424
              :
  Total       :   25,454,735       477,662      25,932,397    100,264    7,805
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.
                                                                   -- continued
 
       Poultry Slaughter:  Chilled and Frozen, Pounds Certified by Type,
          United States, November 1998 with Comparisons 1/ (continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              :                     Turkeys                    :
              :------------------------------------------------:     Total
              :  Fryer-    :           :           :   Total   :    Poultry
              :  Roasters  :   Young   :    Old    :  Turkeys  :
              :----------------------------------------------------------------
              :                          1,000 Pounds
Oct 1998      :
  Chilled     :        4       212,903      2,392      215,299      2,525,993
  Frozen      :      ---       256,839      1,493      258,332        496,817
              :
  Total       :        4       469,742      3,885      473,630      3,022,810
              :
Nov 1997      :
  Chilled     :      ---       239,205      1,332      240,537      2,105,472
  Frozen      :      ---       211,416      1,554      212,970        419,428
              :
  Total       :      ---       450,621      2,886      453,507      2,524,900
              :
Nov 1998      :
  Chilled     :       14       246,846      1,535      248,395      2,266,491
  Frozen      :      ---       210,243        554      210,797        422,965
              :
  Total       :       14       457,089      2,089      459,192      2,689,456
              :
              :
Jan-Nov 1997  :
  Chilled     :       86     2,407,380     20,690    2,428,156     25,628,050
  Frozen      :      395     2,577,529     11,389    2,589,314      4,927,487
              :
  Total       :      482     4,984,910     32,079    5,017,470     30,555,538
              :
Jan-Nov 1998  :
  Chilled     :       48     2,283,525     24,010    2,307,582     25,951,135
  Frozen      :      215     2,527,999     10,648    2,538,862      4,935,776
              :
  Total       :      263     4,811,524     34,658    4,846,445     30,886,911
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Ready-to-cook weights.  Totals may not add due to rounding.
 
         Poultry Slaughter:  Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Condemnations
           by Type, United States, November 1998 with Comparisons 1/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       :                                    :         :
                       :              Chickens              :         :  Other
                       :------------------------------------:  Ducks  : Poultry
                       :   Young   :   Mature   :   Total   :         :
                       :-------------------------------------------------------
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Ante-Mortem            :
 (Live Weight)         :
                       :
  Oct 1998             :   11,986         754       12,739        18        7
  Nov 1997             :    9,169         844       10,013        11        2
  Nov 1998             :   11,111         641       11,753        15        1
                       :
  Jan-Nov 1997         :  118,978      12,920      131,898       136       88
  Jan-Nov 1998         :  149,229      14,263      163,492       165       52
                       :
Percent 2/             :
                       :
  Nov 1997             :     0.33        1.38         0.36      0.10     0.18
  Nov 1998             :     0.37        1.06         0.39      0.12     0.13
                       :
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Post-Mortem            :
 (N.Y. Dressed Weight) :
                       :
  Oct 1998             :   50,517       4,277       54,794       292       29
  Nov 1997             :   41,690       3,514       45,204       213        9
  Nov 1998             :   47,965       3,604       51,570       298       12
                       :
  Jan-Nov 1997         :  524,337      47,848      572,185     2,658      167
  Jan-Nov 1998         :  549,541      46,250      595,792     2,976      147
                       :
Percent 3/             :
                       :
  Nov 1997             :     1.69        6.39         1.79      2.28     0.96
  Nov 1998             :     1.79        6.63         1.88      2.65     1.55
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.
                                                                   -- continued
 
         Poultry Slaughter:  Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Condemnations
     by Type, United States, November 1998 with Comparisons 1/ (continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       :                   Turkeys                  :
                       :--------------------------------------------:   Total
                       : Fryer-   :           :         :   Total   :  Poultry
                       : Roasters :   Young   :   Old   :  Turkeys  :
                       :-------------------------------------------------------
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Ante-Mortem            :
 (Live Weight)         :
                       :
  Oct 1998             :    ---        1,237        29       1,266      14,031
  Nov 1997             :    ---        1,287        23       1,310      11,335
  Nov 1998             :    ---        1,085        15       1,100      12,869
                       :
  Jan-Nov 1997         :      2       18,640       291      18,932     151,053
  Jan-Nov 1998         :      1       17,038       384      17,423     181,133
                       :
Percent 2/             :
                       :
  Nov 1997             :    ---         0.22      0.60        0.23        0.33
  Nov 1998             :    ---         0.19      0.56        0.19        0.35
                       :
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Post-Mortem            :
 (N.Y. Dressed Weight) :
                       :
  Oct 1998             :    ---       11,212       266      11,478      66,593
  Nov 1997             :    ---       10,585       156      10,741      56,167
  Nov 1998             :    ---       10,461       145      10,606      62,486
                       :
  Jan-Nov 1997         :     21      125,207     2,317     127,544     702,555
  Jan-Nov 1998         :      8      120,366     2,774     123,147     722,062
                       :
Percent 3/             :
                       :
  Nov 1997             :    ---         2.05      4.58        2.06        1.84
  Nov 1998             :    ---         1.99      5.89        2.01        1.90
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, November 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     :   65,612      68,876       317,741       348,470     4.84      5.06
AR     :   87,066      87,337       419,941       424,332     4.82      4.86
CA     :   15,330      18,841        81,547        98,042     5.32      5.20
DE     :   20,108      21,165       109,909       118,733     5.47      5.61
FL     :   10,764      10,082        50,443        54,030     4.69      5.36
GA     :   82,650      82,408       412,666       415,560     4.99      5.04
LA     :   11,551      12,138        56,139        54,087     4.86      4.46
MD     :   15,506      15,953        74,404        75,449     4.80      4.73
MS     :   51,040      53,520       241,638       265,866     4.73      4.97
MO     :   25,632      27,074       111,215       119,358     4.34      4.41
NC     :   40,194      48,217       222,873       278,119     5.54      5.77
PA     :    7,979       7,967        41,904        40,889     5.25      5.13
SC     :   14,461      16,080        68,104        76,017     4.71      4.73
TN     :   10,971      14,466        52,029        71,026     4.74      4.91
TX     :   37,352      40,534       173,500       192,431     4.65      4.75
VA     :   25,005      26,751       119,861       129,778     4.79      4.85
WA     :      ---         ---           ---           ---      ---       ---
       :
US     :  564,133     598,230     2,748,232     2,985,256     4.87      4.99
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Average weight based on unrounded data.
 
  Young Chickens Slaughtered:  Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
              Selected States and United States, November 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     :    234,507        260,171        7,518        8,942      2.63    2.85
AR     :    302,272        303,240        4,817        6,184      1.27    1.62
CA     :     58,863         71,049        1,257        1,386      1.71    1.57
DE     :     80,124         86,332        1,721        2,167      1.74    2.03
FL     :     36,361         36,108          996        1,969      2.19    4.05
GA     :    303,101        304,862        6,503        6,159      1.75    1.65
LA     :     40,164         37,405        1,042        1,079      2.06    2.22
MD     :     53,153         53,688        1,158        1,069      1.73    1.57
MS     :    183,830        197,541        2,767        3,926      1.27    1.64
MO     :     80,612         88,358        1,458        1,081      1.46    1.01
NC     :    164,745        209,720        3,596        3,842      1.79    1.53
PA     :     29,165         28,814        1,133        1,223      3.00    3.32
SC     :     66,088         55,782        1,292        1,478      2.11    2.16
TN     :     36,452         52,518          510          722      1.09    1.13
TX     :    131,671        143,912        2,076        1,873      1.33    1.08
VA     :     82,766         90,945        1,473        1,396      1.37    1.20
WA     :        ---            ---          ---          ---       ---     ---
       :
US     :  2,025,500      2,184,056       41,690       47,965      1.69    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, November 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AL     :       ---       1,309     180,460      141,996       2,356      13,927
AR     :       ---       3,549     269,445      109,793       6,420       6,101
CA     :       ---       4,614     111,423        7,131         891       3,032
DE     :       ---       4,254      98,970       54,824         109         ---
FL     :       ---         406         ---          ---         ---         ---
GA     :       ---         ---     130,313      223,463       1,762      14,491
LA     :       ---         ---      32,719       31,560         ---       1,977
MD     :       ---       2,786      84,255       32,335         175      10,472
MS     :       ---         ---     121,314      188,720       1,933       6,742
MO     :       ---       4,286      66,979       17,364       1,625       2,075
NC     :       ---       3,317     127,079       66,123         415      44,658
PA     :       ---         733      31,296       39,549         175         ---
SC     :       ---       2,262      33,136       70,522         ---       4,244
TN     :       ---         408      43,690       14,773         ---         ---
TX     :       ---         ---     116,742       43,160         659       3,055
VA     :       ---       1,883      69,738       32,782         ---         ---
WA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :       ---      49,547   1,716,327    1,126,014      33,843     165,175
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AL     :    12,127      33,656      65,531        8,931     203,822     664,115
AR     :    10,281      33,361      39,887        4,330      90,860     574,027
CA     :       488       5,335       2,278          384      23,895     159,471
DE     :     2,362       9,204      16,911        9,226      58,735     254,595
FL     :     1,466       1,848       5,680          ---         ---       9,400
GA     :    11,870      34,367      63,765        6,426     273,852     760,309
LA     :     1,643         ---         ---          581      25,761      94,241
MD     :     1,835       9,959         ---          ---      20,897     162,714
MS     :     6,060      36,304      28,814        2,162     188,509     580,558
MO     :     2,191      12,836      15,681          ---      30,420     153,457
NC     :     6,178      42,974      54,517        7,195      76,071     428,527
PA     :     1,692       2,242         ---          387      33,504     109,578
SC     :     3,910         ---         ---          ---      57,577     171,651
TN     :     2,558       6,155         ---        1,087      15,536      84,207
TX     :     1,433      12,105      11,695        1,034       8,861     198,744
VA     :     2,261       8,001      14,528        1,737      59,527     190,457
WA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :    74,022     306,352     474,618       62,414   1,374,153   5,382,465
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
  Mature Chickens Slaughtered:  Number, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight,
              Selected States and United States, November 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     :   11,894      11,240        61,070        60,415     5.13      5.37
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Average weight based on unrounded data.
 
 
 
 
 Mature Chickens Slaughtered:  Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
              Selected States and United States, November 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     :     37,911         36,969        3,514        3,604      6.39    6.63
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, November 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
CA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
GA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :       ---       4,430     243,927       13,462         738     102,794
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
CA     :       ---          41         ---          ---         ---          41
GA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :    18,461      30,883     144,815        1,456      38,192     599,158
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     Young Turkeys (Mature) Slaughtered:  Number, Live Weight, and Average
        Live Weight, Selected States and United States, November 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     :    2,195       2,345        38,415        42,593     17.50     18.16
CA     :    2,304       2,455        51,707        58,162     22.45     23.69
IA     :    1,164       1,275        30,907        35,238     26.56     27.64
MN     :    3,619       3,620        80,398        85,648     22.21     23.66
MO     :    2,264       1,778        55,745        49,005     24.62     27.56
NC     :    3,283       3,175        80,604        68,580     24.55     21.60
PA     :    1,008       1,188        21,483        25,929     21.32     21.83
VA     :    2,938       3,164        54,539        66,803     18.57     21.12
       :
US     :   24,385      24,161       574,354       584,404     23.55     24.19
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Average weight based on unrounded data.
 
 
 
 
 
     Young Turkeys (Mature) Slaughtered:  Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem
       Condemnations, Selected States and United States, November 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     :     31,173         33,739          454          602      1.31    1.57
CA     :     40,265         46,094          667          646      1.43    1.23
IA     :     24,068         28,040          627          741      2.25    2.34
MN     :     65,076         67,114        2,316        2,090      3.20    2.71
MO     :     42,539         38,999        1,183          940      2.36    2.13
NC     :     62,733         54,600        1,304          940      1.80    1.52
PA     :     17,049         19,873          535          379      2.77    1.62
VA     :     40,489         50,742          789          855      1.61    1.42
       :
US     :    450,621        457,089       10,585       10,461      2.05    1.99
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, November 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AR     :       ---         ---       5,949          ---         ---         ---
CA     :       ---         ---       9,443          286         ---           8
IA     :       ---         ---       4,796        1,187         ---           5
MN     :       ---         ---      15,734        2,296       1,129         ---
MO     :       ---         ---      14,254          ---         ---         ---
NC     :       ---         ---       5,133          ---         ---         ---
PA     :       ---         ---         ---          495         ---           7
VA     :       ---         ---       3,987          222         ---         ---
       :
US     :       ---         271      86,284       10,691       5,761         100
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AR     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---       5,949
CA     :       ---         696         450          ---         505      11,388
IA     :        44         ---         ---          ---         ---       6,032
MN     :       182       1,174       1,507          ---       1,496      23,518
MO     :       115         290         ---          ---         ---      14,659
NC     :       ---         ---         ---          192         721       6,046
PA     :       114         ---         ---          ---         559       1,175
VA     :        20         ---         209          ---       1,344       5,782
       :
US     :       979      10,015       9,918        1,907      12,113     138,039
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Old Turkeys (Breeders) Slaughtered:  Number Condemned Post-Mortem by Cause,
                          United States, November 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
US     :       ---         ---       3,198          248         ---          49
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
US     :       ---          70          80          ---         581       4,226
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
                    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., November 1997-1998................................................   11
 
Mature Chickens Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 Selected States and U.S., November 1997-1998............................   11
 
Mature Chickens Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
 U.S., November 1997-1998................................................   11
 
Old Turkeys (Breeders) Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 U.S., November 1997-1998................................................   14
 
Poultry Chilled and Frozen Pounds Certified (RTC) by Type,
 U.S., November 1997.....................................................    4
 
Poultry Slaughter Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Condemnations
 by Type, U.S., November 1997............................................    6
 
Poultry Slaughter Number Inspected, Live Weight, and Average
 Live Weight by Type, U.S., November 1997................................    2
 
Reliability Statement....................................................   15
 
Young Chickens Number Inspected, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight,
 Selected States and U.S., November 1997-1998............................    8
 
Young Chickens Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 Selected States and U.S., November 1997-1998............................   10
 
Young Chickens Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
 Selected States and U.S., November 1997-1998............................    9
 
Young Turkeys (Mature) Number Inspected, Live Weight, and Average
 Live Weight, Selected States and U.S., November 1997-1998...............   12
 
Young Turkeys (Mature) Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 Selected States and U.S., November 1997-1998............................   13
 
Young Turkeys (Mature) Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
 Selected States and U.S., November 1997-1998............................   12
 
 
 
The next "Poultry Slaughter" report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on
February 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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