U.S. Meat Production
2.2% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 856.3 million pounds, 1.3 percent more than a week ago and 2.2 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up .9 percent at 8.49 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 637,000 head, compared with 618,000 a week earlier and 644,000 a year ago, liveweights 1258 pounds, 1260 and 1213, respectively. Beef production was 485.4 million pounds. Cumulative cattle slaughter was down 1.3 percent at 6,311,000 head, beef production down 2.9 percent at 4.8 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 21,000 head, 21,000 and 19,000, liveweights 327 pounds, 325 and 317. Veal production was 4.1 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down two percent at 189,000 head, veal production down 5.6 percent at 35.4 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,827,000 head, 1,843,000 and 1,844,000, liveweights 267 pounds, 267 and 265. Pork production was 362 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down 2.3 percent at 18,195,000 head, pork production down 1.5 percent at 3.6 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 70,000 head, 63,000 and 69,000, liveweights 139 pounds, 140 and 142. Lamb and mutton production was 4.8 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down 1.6 percent at 575,000 head, lamb and mutton production down 6.2 percent at 39.6 million pounds.