U.S. Meat Production
7.5% Above A Year Ago

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 923.2 million pounds, 18.3 percent more than the previous week's holiday period and 7.5 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 2.7 percent at 19.9 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 726,000 head, compared with 626,000 a week earlier and 704,000 a year ago, liveweights 1226 pounds, 1224 and 1198, respectively. Beef production was 540.5 million pounds. Cumulative cattle slaughter was down .4 percent at 15,035,000 head, beef production up 3.3 percent at 11.33 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 18,000 head, 13,000 and 18,000, liveweights 332 pounds, 328 and 338. Veal production was 3.6 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up 2.7 percent at 431,000 head, veal production down 5.1 percent at 78.9 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,894,000 head, 1,568,000 and 1,741,000, liveweights 267 pounds, 267 and 265. Pork production was 375.2 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up .9 percent at 42,355,000 head, pork production up 2.1 percent at 8.39 million pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 55,000 head, 51,000 and 50,000, liveweights 142 pounds, 138 and 140. Cumulative slaughter was up .7 percent 1,380,000 head, lamb and mutton production down two percent at 96.3 million pounds.