Red Meat Sets Record
Production For August

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.11 billion pounds in August, up five percent from the previous August record high of 3.91 billion pounds set in 1999.

August 2000 contained one more weekday than August 1999.

Beef production in August was up six percent at 2.44 billion pounds, five percent above the previous record high for August set in 1995. Cattle slaughter was up three percent at 3.26 million head. The average liveweight was up 20 pounds from the previous year at 1226 pounds.

Veal production was down 11 percent at 17 million pounds, breaking the record low for August which was set a year ago. Calf slaughter was down 16 percent at 100,000 head. The average liveweight was 12 pounds above last year at 289 pounds.

Pork production was five percent above last year's record high at 1.64 billion pounds. Hog kill was up three percent at 8.62 million head. The average liveweight was up four pounds at 258 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production was down three percent at 18 million pounds. Sheep slaughter was down four percent at 283,000 head. The average liveweight was up one pound at 128 pounds.

January through August red meat production was up one percent from a year ago at 30.6 billion pounds. Accumulated beef production was up two percent at 17.99 billion pounds, veal down one percent at 145 million pounds, pork down two percent at 12.34 billion pounds, and lamb and mutton down three percent at 155 million pounds.