October Meat, Beef
Set Record Highs

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Commercial red meat production in October for the United States totaled 4.1 billion pounds, up two percent from October 1999 and up slightly less than two percent from the previous record high for October set in 1998.

October contained one more weekday and one fewer Saturday than a year ago.

Beef production, at 2.35 billion pounds, was four percent above the previous year and two percent more than the previous record high for October set in 1997. Cattle slaughter at 3.14 million head, was up two percent from 1999. The average liveweight was up 17 pounds at 1231 pounds.

Veal production at 18 million pounds was two percent below the previous record low for October set a year ago.

Calf slaughter was 97,000 head, down seven percent; the average liveweight was up 13 pounds at 311 pounds.

October pork production at 1.72 billion pounds was up one percent from the previous year. Hog kill at 8.88 million head was one percent below 1999. The average liveweight was up three pounds at 262 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 18 million pounds, was down six percent from the previous record low for October set in 1999. Sheep slaughter totaled 279,000 head nine percent below last year. The average liveweight was up four pounds at 134 pounds.

January through October red meat production at 38.6 billion pounds was one percent more than a year ago. Accumulated beef production at 22.6 billion pounds was up two percent, cattle slaughter was up one percent at 30,087,900 head. Veal at 180 million pounds was down three percent, slaughter down nine percent at 947,500 head. Pork at 15.6 billion pounds was down two percent, slaughter down three percent at 81,103,600 head. Lamb and mutton at 190 million pounds was down four percent, slaughter down five percent at 2,857,900 head.