U.S. Meat Production
.1% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 904.5 million pounds, 13.1 percent more than the previous week’s holiday period and .1 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was down .1 percent at 42.1 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 671,000 head compared to 610,000 a week ago and 677,000 a year ago, liveweights 1233 pounds, 1235 and 1228, respectively. Beef production was 498.9 million pounds. Cumulative cattle slaughter was unchanged from a year ago at 33,090,000 head, beef production up 1.3 percent at 24.54 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 20,000 head, 18,000 and 26,000, liveweights 322 pounds, 319 and 286. Veal production was 3.9 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down 13 percent at 1,006,000 head, veal production down 6.2 percent at 188.3 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 2,023,000 head, 1,775,000 and 2,041,000, liveweights 266 pounds, 266 and 263. Pork production was 396.5 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down 3.6 percent at 88,966,000 head, pork production down two percent at 17.2 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 76,000 head, 53,000 and 67,000, liveweights 139 pounds, 138 and 136. Lamb and mutton production was 5.2 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down 6.6 percent at 3,048,000 head, lamb and mutton production down 4.8 percent at 205.7 million pounds.