A |
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Albumen |
The white portion of an egg. In liquid form, the albumen is
composed of water and proteins. In dry form, it is composed of proteins. |
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B |
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Basket |
A 15-dozen shipping container made of plastic or wire used
by shell egg producers and packers for packaging of cartoned eggs. Cardboard
box 15‐dozen shipping containers are also referred to as baskets. |
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Basted |
The industry practice of injecting a specific volume of
liquid into raw poultry and poultry parts to improve tenderness, juiciness,
or flavor and to improve cooking time. The basting solution may be broth,
butter, or vegetable oil. |
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Bid |
A verifiable price that a buyer is willing to pay to secure
product. |
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Breaker |
A person, firm, or other business unit that cracks (breaks)
shell eggs to produce egg products. |
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Breaking Stock |
Shell eggs designated for cracking (breaking) to produce egg
products. |
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Broker |
A person or firm that negotiates transactions between buyers
and sellers and charges a fee for the brokerage services. The broker does
not receive, or take title to, or possession of the product involved in the
transaction. However, the broker may assure delivery of the product to the
buyer and guarantee payment to the seller. |
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Broiler/Fryer |
Young chickens less than 12 weeks of age. After processing,
ready‐to‐cook broiler/fryers are directed to one of several market channels
based primarily on dressed weight. |
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Buyer |
A person or firm that acquires possession, ownership, or
rights to the product by payment of money, goods, and/or services. |
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C |
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Capon |
A neutered male chicken produced for the specialty and
holiday meat markets. |
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Carton |
A shell egg packaging container, generally made of cardboard
or foam, that encloses the egg on all sides. Cartons are designed to protect
and restrain the movement of individual shell eggs during shipping and
handling. The standard size egg carton holds 12 eggs, referred to as a
dozen, the smaller size carton holds 6, and the larger version holds 18
eggs. |
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Case |
A container used in commercial practice for packaging eggs.
The standard sized case will hold 30-dozen of eggs, however, case sizes
range from 12-dozen to 40 dozen units. |
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Ceiling Price |
The highest price a buyer has agreed to pay for the volume
of product involved in the transaction. Ceiling prices protect the buyer in
an advancing market. |
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Checks |
Eggs that have a broken shell or crack in the shell but has
its shell membrane intact and the contents are not leaking. |
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Chill Packed |
A form of refrigeration in which processed raw poultry
products are chilled to 26 - 32 degrees Fahrenheit and packed in containers
without being covered with ice. |
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Class |
Any subdivision of a product based on physical
characteristics that differentiate between major groups of the same kind or
type. For example, small, medium, large, extra large, and jumbo are
different classes of shell eggs. |
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Committed |
An obligation or pledge to sell or purchase a specified
quantity of product. |
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Commodity Pack |
Whole fresh or frozen young ready-to-cook poultry which have
little or no values added and are generally prepared for the retail and
consumer markets. |
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Consumer Sizes |
A term used primarily to describe whole ready-to-cook young
turkeys that weigh between 8 and 24 pounds, which are marketed to retail
grocery stores for sale to the ultimate consumer. |
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Contract |
A binding agreement or business arrangement between two or
more parties for the supply of specified goods or services at a fixed price. |
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Contract Grower |
The person that provides housing, equipment, labor, litter,
power and heat, and cares for the poultry during growout. The contract
grower does not own the poultry, but receives a stipulated fee for the
services. |
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Current Negotiated |
To arrange for the purchase or sale of products through
discussion and agreement on transaction terms. Generally, agreement to buy
or sell has occurred within the previous 24 hours. |
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D |
(Back to Top) |
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Dealer |
A person or firm that negotiates to purchase product from
suppliers; accepts, receives, and takes possession of the product; and
negotiates with customers to sell the product at a profit. |
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Deboning Size |
Young chickens with live weights of 5.26 pounds and heavier.
As W.O.G.s these birds should weigh between 3.60 and 5.50 pounds and are
further processed. |
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Delivered |
A bid, offer, or quoted market which includes the cost of
loading, transporting, and unloading the product at the location specified
by the buyer. |
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DELMARVA |
The peninsula of land where Delaware (3 counties), Maryland
(9 counties), and Virginia (2 counties) converge. This area is situated
between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, which is also referred to
as the "Eastern Shore." |
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Demand |
The desire to possess a commodity coupled with the
willingness and ability to pay for the commodity.
Very Good -
Offerings or supplies are rapidly absorbed.
Good - Firm
confidence on the part of buyers that general market conditions are good.
Trading is more active than normal.
Moderate
- Average buyer interest and trading.
Light - Demand
is below average.
Very Light ‐
Few buyers are interested in trading. |
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Distributor |
A person or firm that delivers product to customers. |
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E |
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Egg Sizes |
Shell eggs are divided by size (class) according to weight.
Minimum net weight per dozen:
Jumbo
- 30 ounces
Extra Large -
27 ounces
Large
- 24 ounces
Medium
- 21 ounces
Small
- 18 ounces |
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F |
(Back to Top) |
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Fast Food / Food Service Size Broiler / Fryer |
Young chickens with live weights of 4.20 pounds and lighter.
As W.O.G.s these birds should weigh between 2.40 and 2.90 pounds. |
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Features |
Sales promotions by retailers which highlight selected
products. |
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Filler |
A protective cell used in egg cases and flats to cushion
each individual egg against shock and breakage during handling and shipping. |
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Final Report of Prices |
A price report released every Monday, showing negotiated
trading in trucklot volumes of whole ready‐to‐cook broiler/fryers including
ice‐packed USDA Grade A, plant A's, chillpacked, and whole broiler/fryers
without giblets (WOGs) delivered to first receivers located in major
consuming markets during that particular week. Whole birds include premium
label branded and non‐branded products. Final report of prices include
Majority, Weighted Average, and Composite series together with the volumes
used to calculate those averages. Also see Preliminary Report of Prices and
TFEWR. |
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Floor Price |
The lowest price a seller is willing to accept for the
quality, condition, and volume of product involved in the transaction. Floor
prices protect the seller in a declining market. |
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F.O.B. Dock Equivalent |
The product is placed free on board the transporting vehicle
(truck, railcar, ship, etc.) by the seller at the shipping point. The buyer
assumes all transportation and delivery costs and all risk of damage or
delay in transit. |
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Forward Priced |
The volume of product committed and the price negotiated
during the previous 24 hours, but shipments will be made more than 14 days
from the date of sale. |
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Fronts |
The front half of a ready‐to‐cook young chicken consisting
of the whole breast both whole wings and back portion. This item is
generally further processed. |
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Full Cut (Whole) Wings |
The whole wing cut from the carcass at the shoulder joint
and composed of three sections, the drummette, flat middle, and tip. |
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Further Processor |
A firm that prepares a full range of processed products from
a basic commodity item. This is usually a specialized and separate function
of a plant or firm's operation. |
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Future Commitments |
An obligation or pledge to sell or purchase a specified
volume of product at a later time. |
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G |
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Giblets |
The term used to describe the portion of poultry carcasses
that consists of hearts, gizzards, and livers. Giblet packages should
contain approximately equal numbers of each of those parts. Although not a
giblet, the neck is usually included in the same package as the giblets when
that packages is put back into whole poultry carcasses. |
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Gradeable Next Runs (GNR) |
Eggs from a production facility that have had some "checks,"
"dirties," and other obvious undergrades removed and are suitable for
grading. |
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Graded Loose (GL) |
Shell eggs that have been washed, sized, and candled for
quality and packed in trays, flats, or non‐carton containers. |
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H |
(Back to Top) |
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Hatchery |
A facility for hatching eggs. Fertilized eggs are placed
into an incubator that maintains conditions favorable for hatching. Chicken
eggs will hatch 21 days after they are set and turkey eggs after 28 days. |
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Heavy Hen |
A breeder hen, usually over 7 pounds live weight, no longer
commercially productive for laying broiler type hatching eggs. Younger heavy
hens are marketed as baking or
stewing hens, older heavy hens are marketed as canner fowl. |
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Hen |
The female of all classes of poultry, except goose, whose
age can vary considerably depending on the class of poultry. A hen turkey
can be over the age of 7 days raised for meat or breeding purposes, while a
chicken hen is of egg laying age, usually over 20 weeks old, and raised for
egg production purposes. |
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I |
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Ice Packed |
A form of refrigeration in which processed raw products are
packed in containers and then covered with shaved or crushed ice
manufactured from water or dry ice manufactured from carbon dioxide (CO2). |
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Inedible |
Eggs that are not allowed for human consumption. They are
segregated and sold primarily to pet food companies. |
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In-Line |
The arrangement of conveyor and processing equipment into
one or more straight lines to facilitate the movement of shell eggs directly
from the laying house(s) to the grading and packing or further processing
area. |
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Inter-Dealer |
Trading that occurs between dealers. |
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Intra-Dealer |
Trading that occurs within the same business or corporation. |
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Invoice Price |
The price shown on the itemized list (bill) of goods shipped
to the buyer. |
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L |
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Layer |
Hens (including those being molted) or pullets producing
table or commercial type shell eggs. These hens are usually at least 20
weeks of age and may include the breeder hen that produces broiler-type or
egg-type hatching eggs. |
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Leaker |
An egg that has a crack or break in the shell and shell
membranes to the extent that the egg contents are exposed or are exuding or
free to exude through the shell. |
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Leg Quarters |
The rear portion of a ready-to-cook young chicken consisting
of the drumsticks, thighs, and back portion. This item is marketed at retail
or further processed. |
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Light Hen |
The hen that produces table or commercial eggs. |
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Line Run Product |
USDA does not have a definition for this term, buy it is
frequently used by the trade. Market News defines line runs as that product
which comes off the processing line. If any attempt is made to "cream" or
"cull" product particularly Grade A product, it would no longer be
considered line run. |
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Loose Eggs |
Eggs packed in trays, flats, or non-carton containers that
have not been sized and candled for quality. |
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Lot |
This term represents 150, 30-dozen cases of shell eggs. Four
lots or 600 cases equal one truckload. |
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M |
(Back to Top) |
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Majority |
Where 60 percent or more of sales or sales volume occurs. |
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Market |
A geographic location where a commodity is traded or the
price at which a commodity is traded. |
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Market Activity |
The pace at which sales are being made.
Active
- Available supplies are readily clearing the market.
Moderate -
Available supplies are clearing the market at a reasonable rate.
Slow
- Available supplies are not clearing the market.
Inactive
- Sales are intermittent with few buyers or sellers. |
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Market Day of Ship |
The price at which a transaction will take place between a
buyer and seller on the day the product is shipped. |
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Market Related |
A term used to describe the price at which a transaction
will take place in relationship to a quoted market. |
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Matched Plant |
A comparison of current and previous reporting period data
on the basis of matching cooperators that responded or participated in both
reporting periods. |
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Material Exchanged |
Terms or conditions of sale whereby the shipping material is
returned to the seller. |
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Mechanically Separated |
The manufacturing of poultry products in a paste‐like form
with the consistency of cake batter. Various poultry items (backs, neck, rib
cages, carcass shell, etc.) are put through a de‐boning machine. The machine
operates on the differing resistance of bone and tissue pushed under high
pressure through small holes to separate the bone from the edible paste‐like
product. |
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Miscellaneous Eggs |
Categorical grouping for shell eggs that do not meet minimum
weight class standards for size small through jumbo and minimum grade
standards for AA, A, and B quality. Eggs grouped into this category include,
but are not limited to, peewee, dirty, check, and no grade eggs. |
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Molt |
A process during which hens stop laying and shed their
feathers. Occurs naturally every 12 months or may be artificially induced. |
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Mostly |
(see Majority) |
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N |
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Nest Run Breaking Stock (NRBS) |
Eggs packed as they come from the production facilities
without having been washed, sized, and candled for quality and designated to
be cracked (broken) for use in further processing. |
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Nest Run Eggs |
Eggs which are packed as they come from the production
facilities without having been washed, sized, and candled for quality, with
the exception that some checks, dirties, or other obvious undergrades may
have been removed. |
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No Grade |
(see Undergrade) |
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O |
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Offer |
A verifiable price that a seller is willing to trade the
product. |
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Open Commitment |
The volume of product committed for later shipment at a
price to be determined at a future date. |
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P |
(Back to Top) |
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Pallet |
The wood or plastic portable frame/platform on which 25 - 40
boxes of product are stacked. The net weight of a pallet is approximately
1,800 pounds. |
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Pasteurize |
Subjecting each particle of shell eggs or egg products to
heat or other treatments to destroy harmful viable microorganisms. |
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Plant Grade |
Ready-to-cook food products graded for quality according to
specifications defined by a buyer or seller of the product. |
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Poult |
After hatching, a young turkey of either sex that is between
one day and a couple weeks old. |
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Preliminary Report of Prices |
A price report, released every Friday, showing negotiated
trading on USDA Grade A whole ready-to-cook broiler/fryers when a sufficient
number of loads are booked for delivery the following week. A sufficient
number of loads represents at least 15 percent of the average of the past
two weeks total volume. If a sufficient number of loads of broiler/fryers
are not reported or if the price might reveal an individual company's
trading, then a Preliminary report is not issued. Also, see Final Report of
Prices and TFEWR. |
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Price Trend |
The direction in which prices are moving in relation to
trading in the previous reporting period.
Higher -
Majority of sales are at prices measurably higher than the previous trading
session.
Firm
- Prices are tending higher, but not measurably so. Steady ‐ Prices are
unchanged from previous trading session. Weak ‐ Prices are tending lower,
but not measurably so.
Lower -
Prices for most sales are measurably lower than previous trading. |
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Processor |
The firm that manages and operates a plant which slaughters
and eviscerates poultry. The processor usually performs some functions
of production, and all the processing and marketing functions. |
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Producer |
The person or firm that bears the risk and responsibility
for production. The producer may share the risk by working on company‐owned
farms or having a contract with a processor. |
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Pullet |
A female chicken that has not yet started to lay eggs. |
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R |
(Back to Top) |
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Rack |
A framework or stand in (or on) which flats of eggs are
placed. |
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Range |
Price ranges represent the significant volume at a uniform
level of trading where a change of ownership occurs and information is
readily available on a consistent basis during the reported period.
Discounts and premiums may be included in the price range when they are an
ongoing part of the market. The range includes only sales representative of
current market conditions. |
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Ready-to-Cook |
Processed young poultry and its parts which are ready to be
cooked with very little additional preparation. |
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Render |
Subjecting disposed animal carcasses to grinding,
extraction, heat or other treatments to convert into by‐products for use in
feed rations and fertilizers. |
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Restricted Egg |
Any check, dirty, incubator reject, inedible, leaker, or
loss egg. |
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Retailer |
A person or firm that engage in the practice of selling
products to the ultimate consumer at the retail store level. |
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Retail Prices |
Prices paid by the consuming public. |
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Retail Size Broiler/Fryer |
Young chickens with live weights that range between 4.21 and
5.25 pounds. With giblets and neck included these birds should weigh between
3.25 and 4.05 pounds. |
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Roaster |
Heavy young chickens less than 12 weeks of age with live
weights heavier than 7 pounds. Ready-to-cook roasters usually weight more
than 5 pounds and are marketed at retail or are further processed. |
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Rooster |
A male chicken usually kept for breeding. |
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S |
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Seller |
A person or firm that offers product for sale. |
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Shell Egg Packer |
Any person or firm engaged in the sorting of eggs from
sources other than or in addition to their own production. The eggs are
separated into the various qualities, either mechanically or by other means. |
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Shipping Container |
This term is used primarily in reference to export trading.
The net weight of a shipping container is approximately 50,000 pounds. |
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Spent Hen |
A breeder or commercial type egg hen that no longer performs
at desired production levels. |
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Spot Trading |
The actual or physical (cash) trading of a commodity. |
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Supply |
The quantity of a particular commodity available for current
trading.
Heavy
- When the volume of supplies is above average for the market being
reported.
Moderate -
When volume of supplies is average for the market being reported.
Light
- When the volume of supplies is below average for the market being
reported. |
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T |
(Back to Top) |
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Tanker |
This term represents a minimum of 30,000 pounds of liquid
egg product, and it is used in conjunction with reporting price and volume
information on national liquid eggs. |
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Tenderloin |
This boneless‐skinless white meat is the pectoralis minor
muscle. It comes from the inside of the breast adjacent to the keel bone.
Tenderloins are marketed fresh or frozen. |
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TFEWR |
Too few to report. |
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To The (Border) Port |
This term describes a transaction in which the finished
product will be delivered to a receiver located near an export shipping
center or near the United States border with Mexico. |
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Trader |
A person or firm that negotiates the terms of a transaction
solely for the purpose of speculating on future prices, supply, or demand;
and receives, accepts, and takes possession of the product involved in the
transaction. |
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Trailerload |
A minimum of 600, 30-dozen cases of eggs, and it is used in
conjunction with reporting price and volume information for trailer load egg
sales. |
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Truckload |
A tractor‐trailer load of poultry product which weighs
approximately 40,000 pounds net weight. A truckload represents 20 - 22
pallets of product. |
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Trucklot |
This term represents approximately 10,000 pounds of product. |
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Two Joint (V-Type) |
The wing portion that includes either the drummette and flat
middle or the flat middle and tip. |
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U |
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Undergrade |
Edible shell eggs that do not meet the requirements
(standards) for Grade AA, Grade A, Grade B, or Checks. |
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Undertone |
Sense of direction in a given market situation. |
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U.S.D.A. Grade A |
Ready-to-cook products graded for quality according to
official standards administered by the USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service,
Poultry Programs. The product conforms to the requirements for "A" quality. |
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V |
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Vacuum Packed (Bagged) |
Processed product that is packaged in synthetic bags. All
the environmental air is removed and a vacuum is formed inside the bag after
the product is packaged. Removal of the air (oxygen) retards the growth of
aerobic bacteria. Sometimes, in order to help eliminate the oxygen, carbon
dioxide gas or nitrogen gas is introduced into the package. |
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Vertical Integration |
Coordination of various levels of producing, processing, and
distributing under one decision making unit, generally through direct
ownership of the different stages or through contracts. A vertically
integrated firm will consist of breeder flocks, hatcheries, feed milling and
delivery, growout, assembly, processing plants, further processing plants,
and delivery to buyers. Ancillary services, such as building and equipment
supplies, fuel, and financing are often affiliated with the operation. |
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W |
(Back to Top) |
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Weighted Average |
A mathematical computation derived by dividing the total
value of the sales during the period by the total number of units sold
during the period. |
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Whites |
(see Albumen) |
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Whole Eggs |
Consist of yolk (yellow portion) and albumen (white or clear
portion). For the various egg product classes (liquid, frozen, and dried ),
the yolk and albumen are separated during the breaking process and later
remixed to formulate whole eggs in accordance to customer request. |
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Wholesaler |
A person or firm that engage in the practice of selling
products in large quantities for resale. |
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Wholesale Prices |
Prices paid by the person or firm that buys products at
wholesale. |
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Wings |
(see Two-Joint or Full Cut) |
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W.O.G. |
Whole young poultry where the giblets and neck are not
included in the bird's net weight. W.O. G. refers to With Out Giblets. They
may be split, quartered, or cut into 8 or 9 pieces for the fast food/food
service trade. |
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Y |
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Yolk |
The yellow portion of the egg composed of water, protein,
and glyceride. The yolk contains practically all of the known vitamins
except vitamin C. |
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Young Turkey |
A young turkey, usually less than 8 months of age, that is
tender-meated with soft pliable, smooth-textured skin, and is marketed at
retail or are further processed |
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