U.S. Meat Production
1.8% Below A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 915.7 million pounds, 1.6 percent less than a week earlier and 1.8 percent less than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was down 2.2 percent at 37.8 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 669,000 head, compared with 685,000 a weak earlier and 689,000 a year ago, liveweights 1250 pounds, 1248 and 1235, respectively. Beef production was 508.1 million pounds. Cumulative cattle slaughter was down 3.6 percent at 29,419,000 head, beef production was down 3.9 percent at 21.75 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 20,000 head, 18,000 and 21,000, liveweights 313 pounds, 310 and 326. Veal production was 3.8 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down 8.9 percent at 839,000 head, veal production down 8.9 percent at 157.5 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 2,027,000 head, 2,051,000 and 2,092,000, liveweights 268 pounds, 266 and 266. Pork production was 399.8 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down .7 per cent at 80,568,000 head, pork production up .3 percent at 15.7 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 59,000 head, 54,000 and 67,000, liveweights 139 pounds, 138 and 138. Lamb and mutton production was four million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down eight percent at 2,552,000 head, lamb and mutton production down 4.3 percent at 179.5 million pounds.