U.S. Meat Production
2.7% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 799.5 million pounds, 10.5 percent less than a week earlier and 2.7 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was down .1 percent at 211.9 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 594,000 head, compared with 656,000 a week earlier and 580,000 a year ago, liveweights 1235 pounds, 1235 and 1224, respectively. Beef production was 443.4 million pounds. Cumulative cattle slaughter was up .1 percent at 32,438,000 head; beef production was up 1.4 percent at 24.05 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 18,000 head, 21,000 and 19,000, liveweights 319 pounds, 314 and 285. Veal production was 3.5 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down 12.9 percent at 983,000 head; veal production was down 5.9 percent at 184.4 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,780,000 head, 2,022,000 and 1,784,000, liveweights 266 pounds, 265 and 262. Pork production was 349 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down 3.6 percent at 87,008,000 head; pork production was down 2.1 percent at 16.79 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 53,000 head, 72,000 and 65,000, liveweights 138 pounds, 137 and 136. Lamb and mutton production was 3.6 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down 6.8 percent at 2,970,000 head; lamb and mutton production was down 4.9 percent at 200.8 million pounds.