Poultry
Slaughter

National
Agricultural
Statistics
Service
 
USDA
Washington, D.C.

Released June 3, 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 4 Percent
 
Poultry certified wholesome during April (ready-to-cook weight), totaled
3.01 billion pounds, up 4 percent from the amount certified in April 1998.
Updated totals for March 1999 show that 3.09 billion pounds were certified.
 
The preliminary total live weight of poultry inspected during April 1999 was
4.07 billion pounds.  Inspections included 3.42 billion pounds of young
chickens, 79.2 million pounds of mature chickens, 556 million pounds of turkeys,
and 12.4 million pounds of ducks.
 
Young chickens slaughtered during April 1999 averaged 5.01 pounds per bird, up
2 percent from 1998.  The average live weight of mature chickens was 5.07 pounds
per bird, up 4 percent from a year ago.  Turkeys slaughtered during April 1999
averaged 25.4 pounds per bird, down slightly from April 1998.
 
Ante-mortem condemnations during April 1999 totaled 15.7 million pounds.
Condemnations were 0.39 percent of the live weight inspected, compared with
0.35 percent a year earlier.  Post-mortem condemnations, at 69.3 million pounds
(N.Y. dressed weight), were 1.89 percent of quantities inspected, compared with
1.96 percent a year earlier.
 
April 1999 contained 22 weekdays and four Saturdays, the same as April 1998.
 
        Poultry Slaughter:  Number, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight
             by Type, United States, April 1999 with Comparisons 1/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                                       :         :
                    :               Chickens                :         :  Other
                    :---------------------------------------:  Ducks  : Poultry
                    :    Young    : Mature 2/ :    Total    :         :
                    :----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                        1,000 Head
Number Inspected    :
                    :
  Mar 1999          :     704,388      16,122       720,510     1,995   -----
  Apr 1998          :     660,982      16,448       677,430     1,895   -----
  Apr 1999          :     682,551      15,611       698,162     1,906   -----
                    :
  Jan-Apr 1998      :   2,590,401      56,924     2,647,325     7,526   -----
  Jan-Apr 1999      :   2,668,648      60,393     2,729,042     7,670   -----
                    :
                    :                       1,000 Pounds
Live Weight         :
                    :
  Mar 1999          :   3,543,812      81,204     3,625,016    13,368      921
  Apr 1998          :   3,258,011      80,287     3,338,298    12,657    1,088
  Apr 1999          :   3,421,604      79,176     3,500,780    12,385      836
                    :
  Jan-Apr 1998      :  12,618,836     285,478    12,904,314    50,258    4,280
  Jan-Apr 1999      :  13,370,234     305,141    13,675,374    51,014    3,207
                    :
                    :                          Pounds
Average Live Weight :
                    :
  Mar 1999          :        5.03        5.04          5.03      6.70   -----
  Apr 1998          :        4.93        4.88          4.93      6.68   -----
  Apr 1999          :        5.01        5.07          5.01      6.50   -----
                    :
  Jan-Apr 1998      :        4.87        5.02          4.87      6.68   -----
  Jan-Apr 1999      :        5.01        5.05          5.01      6.65   -----
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.
                                                                   -- continued
 
        Poultry Slaughter:  Number, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight
       by Type, United States, April 1999 with Comparisons 1/ (continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :                   Turkeys                  :
                    :--------------------------------------------:    Total
                    : Fryer-   :           :         :   Total   :   Poultry
                    : Roasters : Young  3/ :   Old   :  Turkeys  :
                    :----------------------------------------------------------
                    :                        1,000 Head
Number Inspected    :
                    :
  Mar 1999          :     ---       21,505       141      21,645      -----
  Apr 1998          :     ---       22,144       147      22,291      -----
  Apr 1999          :     ---       21,723       175      21,898      -----
                    :
  Jan-Apr 1998      :     ---       86,740       607      87,347      -----
  Jan-Apr 1999      :     ---       80,925       553      81,478      -----
                    :
                    :                       1,000 Pounds
Live Weight         :
                    :
  Mar 1999          :     ---      545,092     3,801     548,893     4,188,198
  Apr 1998          :     ---      562,575     3,865     566,440     3,918,482
  Apr 1999          :     ---      551,340     4,693     556,033     4,070,034
                    :
  Jan-Apr 1998      :     ---    2,187,538    16,480   2,204,018    15,162,871
  Jan-Apr 1999      :     ---    2,071,725    14,893   2,086,618    15,816,214
                    :
                    :                          Pounds
Average Live Weight :
                    :
  Mar 1999          :     ---        25.35     27.04       25.36      -----
  Apr 1998          :     ---        25.41     26.34       25.41      -----
  Apr 1999          :     ---        25.38     26.83       25.39      -----
                    :
  Jan-Apr 1998      :     ---        25.22     27.14       25.23      -----
  Jan-Apr 1999      :     ---        25.60     26.93       25.61      -----
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:  April 1998:  5,644,
    April 1999:  5,649.
3/  Of the Young Turkeys inspected, the number reported in thousands as
    young breeders was:  April 1998:     55, April 1999:     69.
 
       Poultry Slaughter:  Chilled and Frozen, Pounds Certified by Type,
                 United States, April 1999 with Comparisons 1/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              :                                             :         :
              :                   Chickens                  :         :  Other
              :---------------------------------------------:  Ducks  : Poultry
              :     Young     :    Mature    :    Total     :         :
              :----------------------------------------------------------------
              :                          1,000 Pounds
Mar 1999      :
  Chilled     :    2,369,759        46,280       2,416,039      3,703      331
  Frozen      :      228,521         3,130         231,651      5,662      201
              :
  Total       :    2,598,280        49,410       2,647,690      9,365      532
              :
Apr 1998      :
  Chilled     :    2,166,543        43,994       2,210,537      3,168      394
  Frozen      :      216,633         4,099         220,732      5,941      203
              :
  Total       :    2,383,176        48,093       2,431,269      9,109      597
              :
Apr 1999      :
  Chilled     :    2,288,005        44,020       2,332,024      3,368      275
  Frozen      :      225,198         3,220         228,418      5,355      211
              :
  Total       :    2,513,203        47,240       2,560,443      8,723      486
              :
              :
Jan-Apr 1998  :
  Chilled     :    8,384,457       157,830       8,542,287     12,402    1,549
  Frozen      :      844,713        13,713         858,426     23,363      863
              :
  Total       :    9,229,170       171,543       9,400,712     35,765    2,411
              :
Jan-Apr 1999  :
  Chilled     :    8,943,176       170,484       9,113,659     14,048    1,178
  Frozen      :      856,643        13,294         869,938     21,671      657
              :
  Total       :    9,799,819       183,778       9,983,597     35,718    1,835
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.
                                                                   -- continued
       Poultry Slaughter:  Chilled and Frozen, Pounds Certified by Type,
           United States, April 1999 with Comparisons 1/ (continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              :                     Turkeys                    :
              :------------------------------------------------:     Total
              :  Fryer-    :           :           :   Total   :    Poultry
              :  Roasters  :   Young   :    Old    :  Turkeys  :
              :----------------------------------------------------------------
              :                          1,000 Pounds
Mar 1999      :
  Chilled     :      ---       204,514      2,091      206,605      2,626,679
  Frozen      :      ---       223,643        779      224,422        461,935
              :
  Total       :      ---       428,157      2,869      431,027      3,088,614
              :
Apr 1998      :
  Chilled     :      ---       214,439      1,973      216,413      2,430,511
  Frozen      :      ---       229,544        938      230,482        457,359
              :
  Total       :      ---       443,984      2,911      446,895      2,887,870
              :
Apr 1999      :
  Chilled     :      ---       199,662      2,581      202,243      2,537,911
  Frozen      :      ---       234,976        934      235,910        469,894
              :
  Total       :      ---       434,639      3,515      438,154      3,007,806
              :
              :
Jan-Apr 1998  :
  Chilled     :      ---       832,780      8,368      841,149      9,397,386
  Frozen      :      ---       887,219      4,067      891,285      1,773,936
              :
  Total       :      ---     1,719,999     12,435    1,732,434     11,171,322
              :
Jan-Apr 1999  :
  Chilled     :      ---       768,556      8,141      776,696      9,905,581
  Frozen      :      ---       864,122      2,998      867,120      1,759,386
              :
  Total       :      ---     1,632,678     11,139    1,643,816     11,664,966
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Ready-to-cook weights.  Totals may not add due to rounding.
 
         Poultry Slaughter:  Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Condemnations
             by Type, United States, April 1999 with Comparisons 1/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       :                                    :         :
                       :              Chickens              :         :  Other
                       :------------------------------------:  Ducks  : Poultry
                       :   Young   :   Mature   :   Total   :         :
                       :-------------------------------------------------------
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Ante-Mortem            :
 (Live Weight)         :
                       :
  Mar 1999             :   14,265         983       15,248        18        6
  Apr 1998             :   11,117       1,108       12,224        11        4
  Apr 1999             :   12,599       1,732       14,331        15        6
                       :
  Jan-Apr 1998         :   49,183       4,116       53,299        45        9
  Jan-Apr 1999         :   55,806       4,788       60,594        65       20
                       :
Percent 2/             :
                       :
  Apr 1998             :     0.34        1.38         0.37      0.08     0.34
  Apr 1999             :     0.37        2.19         0.41      0.12     0.70
                       :
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Post-Mortem            :
 (N.Y. Dressed Weight) :
                       :
  Mar 1999             :   57,725       4,900       62,625       313        7
  Apr 1998             :   53,153       4,534       57,687       249       12
  Apr 1999             :   52,407       5,028       57,435       311        7
                       :
  Jan-Apr 1998         :  206,524      17,162      223,686     1,033       40
  Jan-Apr 1999         :  213,944      18,890      232,834     1,208       22
                       :
Percent 3/             :
                       :
  Apr 1998             :     1.81        6.27         1.92      2.19     1.27
  Apr 1999             :     1.70        7.06         1.82      2.79     0.88
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes at end of table.
                                                                   -- continued
 
         Poultry Slaughter:  Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Condemnations
       by Type, United States, April 1999 with Comparisons 1/ (continued)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       :                   Turkeys                  :
                       :--------------------------------------------:   Total
                       : Fryer-   :           :         :   Total   :  Poultry
                       : Roasters :   Young   :   Old   :  Turkeys  :
                       :-------------------------------------------------------
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Ante-Mortem            :
 (Live Weight)         :
                       :
  Mar 1999             :    ---        1,306        38       1,344      16,615
  Apr 1998             :    ---        1,353        25       1,377      13,616
  Apr 1999             :    ---        1,311        35       1,347      15,698
                       :
  Jan-Apr 1998         :    ---        6,071       124       6,195      59,548
  Jan-Apr 1999         :    ---        5,489       138       5,626      66,305
                       :
Percent 2/             :
                       :
  Apr 1998             :    ---         0.24      0.64        0.24        0.35
  Apr 1999             :    ---         0.24      0.76        0.24        0.39
                       :
                       :                      1,000 Pounds
Post-Mortem            :
 (N.Y. Dressed Weight) :
                       :
  Mar 1999             :    ---       10,982       236      11,218      74,162
  Apr 1998             :    ---       11,043       262      11,305      69,253
  Apr 1999             :    ---       11,243       336      11,579      69,331
                       :
  Jan-Apr 1998         :    ---       45,797     1,162      46,959     271,718
  Jan-Apr 1999         :    ---       42,127     1,035      43,162     277,226
                       :
Percent 3/             :
                       :
  Apr 1998             :    ---         2.18      7.54        2.22        1.96
  Apr 1999             :    ---         2.27      7.96        2.31        1.89
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, April 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     :   70,646      76,435       357,255       386,514     5.06      5.06
AR     :   99,324     101,204       488,678       489,882     4.92      4.84
DE     :   22,658      22,587       126,295       131,674     5.57      5.83
FL     :   11,431      10,718        54,465        56,514     4.76      5.27
GA     :   95,803      98,791       479,584       492,536     5.01      4.99
LA     :   12,548      13,737        57,474        61,317     4.58      4.46
MD     :   17,706      17,820        84,800        86,507     4.79      4.85
MS     :   59,878      57,792       283,688       291,497     4.74      5.04
MO     :   30,685      31,928       135,006       145,900     4.40      4.57
NC     :   53,418      53,998       295,153       315,618     5.53      5.84
PA     :    9,128       9,104        46,323        48,248     5.08      5.30
SC     :   18,710      18,105        90,190        87,431     4.82      4.83
TN     :   14,561      17,562        68,952        84,425     4.74      4.81
TX     :   43,280      46,305       198,118       218,738     4.58      4.72
VA     :   29,556      30,924       143,523       154,680     4.86      5.00
       :
US     :  660,982     682,551     3,258,011     3,421,604     4.93      5.01
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Average weight based on unrounded data.
 
  Young Chickens Slaughtered:  Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
                Selected States and United States, April 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     :    263,700        290,398        7,143        8,893      2.22    2.56
AR     :    351,468        356,156        6,042        6,139      1.37    1.39
DE     :     91,466         95,761        2,467        2,817      2.17    2.38
FL     :     39,129         39,435        1,061        1,048      2.16    2.06
GA     :    356,329        362,498       10,412        7,413      2.41    1.67
LA     :     40,947         43,185          999        1,142      1.93    2.07
MD     :     60,038         61,569        1,169        1,382      1.53    1.78
MS     :    214,139        218,605        3,988        3,102      1.56    1.18
MO     :     98,589        105,906        1,764        1,644      1.45    1.25
NC     :    221,451        235,875        4,951        5,473      1.86    1.93
PA     :     31,907         34,444        1,400        1,284      3.36    2.96
SC     :     60,077         64,412        1,721        1,721      2.12    2.19
TN     :     50,800         62,841          782          927      1.26    1.22
TX     :    149,467        165,619        2,597        2,708      1.46    1.38
VA     :    100,322        107,885        1,746        1,787      1.35    1.28
       :
US     :  2,383,176      2,513,203       53,153       52,407      1.81    1.70
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, April 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AL     :       ---       1,959     221,287      559,141       1,577      15,403
AR     :       ---       4,395     337,835      144,498      11,860       6,397
DE     :       ---      12,467     119,366       88,807          96         ---
FL     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
GA     :       ---         ---     150,986      323,200       2,020      11,179
LA     :       ---         204      35,237       41,026         ---       1,508
MD     :       ---      10,212     113,846       60,096          82      11,523
MS     :       ---       3,419     137,537       59,964       1,243       3,112
MO     :       ---       3,509     105,671       37,301       3,713       1,824
NC     :       ---         ---     176,575      107,822         206      48,703
PA     :       ---         ---      45,162       49,457         183         ---
SC     :       ---       1,834      38,158       87,524          48       4,989
TN     :       ---       1,379      62,305       18,162         ---         ---
TX     :       ---         ---     138,237       82,072       1,082       2,634
VA     :       ---         ---      83,627       69,714         ---         ---
       :
US     :       ---     163,723   2,102,965    1,799,840      39,774     166,028
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AL     :    10,524      37,472      60,695       16,418     237,888   1,162,364
AR     :    11,879      32,441      48,925        4,094     128,824     731,148
DE     :     2,670      11,488      17,140        5,795      71,051     328,880
FL     :     1,766       3,061       6,661          ---         ---      11,488
GA     :       ---      42,828      60,333       12,467     402,634   1,005,647
LA     :     1,439       6,964       7,055          ---      12,433     105,866
MD     :     1,773       9,767         ---        1,562      33,056     241,917
MS     :     5,477      29,804      25,101        1,994     112,224     379,875
MO     :     2,472      10,935      17,795          ---      40,926     224,146
NC     :     7,114      46,535      49,730        6,917     139,758     583,360
PA     :     2,272       3,745         ---          343      32,065     133,227
SC     :     3,848      21,515       8,967        3,744      51,885     222,512
TN     :     2,730       8,615         ---        1,097      20,607     114,895
TX     :     1,868      14,052      20,804        2,454      14,069     277,272
VA     :     2,534       7,972       8,742        3,388      75,453     251,430
       :
US     :   788,297     317,853     457,322       70,731   1,525,383   7,431,916
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Mature Chickens Slaughtered:  Number, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight,
                Selected States and United States, April 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     :   16,448      15,611        80,287        79,176     4.88      5.07
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Average weight based on unrounded data.
 
 
 
 Mature Chickens Slaughtered:  Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
                Selected States and United States, April 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     :     48,093         47,240        4,534        5,028      6.27    7.06
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, April 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
CA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
GA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :       ---      10,016     443,507       19,054         768     175,831
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
CA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
GA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
       :
US     :    50,083      49,787     233,696        1,250      73,557   1,057,549
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     Young Turkeys (Mature) Slaughtered:  Number, Live Weight, and Average
         Live Weight, Selected States and United States, April 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     :    2,236       2,398        39,883        44,470     17.84     18.55
CA     :    1,373       1,248        32,149        29,844     23.41     23.90
IA     :    1,110       1,475        31,373        43,036     28.27     29.17
MN     :    3,374       3,123        78,207        80,450     23.18     25.76
MO     :    2,200       2,104        61,156        58,747     27.80     27.92
NC     :    3,389       2,803        94,319        65,488     27.83     23.36
PA     :      ---         ---           ---           ---       ---       ---
VA     :    2,732       3,223        54,950        70,066     20.11     21.74
       :
US     :   22,144      21,723       562,575       551,340     25.41     25.38
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Average weight based on unrounded data.
 
 
 
 
 
     Young Turkeys (Mature) Slaughtered:  Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem
        Condemnations, Selected States and United States, April 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     :     33,074         36,642          637          628      1.77    1.57
CA     :     25,833         24,053          497          395      1.72    1.47
IA     :     24,377         33,301          809        1,128      2.87    2.91
MN     :     62,169         63,091        2,012        1,992      2.86    2.75
MO     :     48,138         46,560        1,496        1,269      2.72    2.40
NC     :     74,963         51,838        1,509        1,110      1.78    1.88
PA     :        ---            ---          ---          ---       ---     ---
VA     :     42,665         54,278          753          913      1.52    1.45
       :
US     :    443,984        434,639       11,043       11,243      2.18    2.27
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, April 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AR     :       ---         ---       4,811          386         ---         ---
CA     :       ---         ---       5,999           46         ---         ---
IA     :       ---         ---       6,678        3,266         ---         ---
MN     :       ---         ---      12,950          ---         ---          16
MO     :       ---         ---      17,036          ---         ---         ---
NC     :       ---         ---       5,780          ---         ---           4
PA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
VA     :       ---         ---       3,705          250         ---          10
       :
US     :       ---       1,487      83,851       19,997       6,761          86
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
AR     :        50         953         ---          ---       1,613       7,813
CA     :        24         ---         130           10         284       6,493
IA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---       9,944
MN     :       ---         925         756          ---       1,262      15,909
MO     :       ---         ---         467          215       1,737      19,455
NC     :       127         ---         ---          ---       1,389       7,300
PA     :       ---         ---         ---          ---         ---         ---
VA     :       ---       1,314         201          ---       1,245       6,725
       :
US     :     1,738       8,563       7,026        2,721      11,566     143,796
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Old Turkeys (Breeders) Slaughtered:  Number Condemned Post-Mortem by Cause,
                           United States, April 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :  Tuber-   :           :            :  Airsac-  :           :
 State :  culosis  : Leukosis  : Septicemia :  culitis  : Synovitis :  Tumors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
US     :       ---         ---       4,518          775         ---         116
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :           :           :  Contam-   :           :           :
       :  Bruises  :  Cadaver  :  ination   : Overscald :   Other   :   Total
       :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
       :                                 Number
       :
US     :        11         151         398          ---         964       6,933
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                    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., April 1998-1999...................................................   11
 
Mature Chickens Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 Selected States and U.S., April 1998-1999...............................   11
 
Mature Chickens Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
 U.S., April 1998-1999...................................................   11
 
Old Turkeys (Breeders) Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 U.S., April 1998-1999...................................................   14
 
Poultry Chilled and Frozen Pounds Certified (RTC) by Type,
 U.S., April 1998........................................................    4
 
Poultry Slaughter Ante-Mortem and Post-Mortem Condemnations
 by Type, U.S., April 1998...............................................    6
 
Poultry Slaughter Number Inspected, Live Weight, and Average
 Live Weight by Type, U.S., April 1998...................................    2
 
Reliability Statement....................................................   15
 
Young Chickens Number Inspected, Live Weight, and Average Live Weight,
 Selected States and U.S., April 1998-1999...............................    8
 
Young Chickens Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 Selected States and U.S., April 1998-1999...............................   10
 
Young Chickens Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
 Selected States and U.S., April 1998-1999...............................    9
 
Young Turkeys (Mature) Number Inspected, Live Weight, and Average
 Live Weight, Selected States and U.S., April 1998-1999..................   12
 
Young Turkeys (Mature) Post-Mortem Condemnations by Cause,
 Selected States and U.S., April 1998-1999...............................   13
 
Young Turkeys (Mature) Pounds Certified and Post-Mortem Condemnations,
 Selected States and U.S., April 1998-1999...............................   12
 
 
 
 
 
The next "Poultry Slaughter" report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on
July 6, 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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For access, connect to the Internet and go to the NASS Home Page at:
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