U.S. Meat Production
4.9% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 877.8 million pounds, .7 percent less than a week earlier but 4.9 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was down .7 percent at 4.21 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 653,000 head, compared with 653,000 a week earlier and 630,000 a year ago, liveweights 1264 pounds, 1265 and 1224, respectively. Beef production was 499.7 million pounds. Cumulative cattle slaughter was down 2.9 percent at 3,132,000 head, beef production up .9 percent at 2.4 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 20,000 head, 19,000 and 18,000, liveweights 316 pounds, 311 and 329. Veal production was 3.8 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down 8.7 percent at 88,000 head, veal production down 8.6 percent at 17 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,859,000 head, 1,900,000 and 1,868,000, liveweights 268 pounds, 267 and 264. Pork production was 370.1 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down 3.5 percent at 8,984,000 head, pork production down 2.7 percent at 1.8 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 60,000 head, 53,000 and 55,000, liveweights 142 pounds, 141 and 146. Lamb and mutton production was 4.2 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down 4.2 percent at 270,000 head, lamb and mutton production down 10.3 percent at 18.3 million pounds.