U.S. Meat Production
3.2% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection for the week ending July 20 was estimated at 898.6 million pounds, 1.4 percent more than the previous week and 6.1 percent above the same period last year. Year-to-date red meat production was 3.2 percent above last year’s figure at 25.2 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 708,000 head, compared to 706,000 a week earlier and 680,000 a year ago, liveweights 1246 pounds, 1242 and 1220, respectively. Beef production was 538.9 million pounds. Cumulative cattle slaughter was up .3 percent at 19,281,000 head, beef production up 3.8 percent at 14.54 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 18,000 head, 18,000 and 18,000, liveweights 306 pounds, 311 and 306. Veal production was 3.3 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was 536,000 head, veal production down 4.4 percent at 98.9 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,816,000 head, 1,764,000 and 1,734,000, liveweights 263 pounds, 264 and 260. Pork production was 352.8 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up 1.6 percent at 52,871,000 head, pork production up 2.6 percent at 10.45 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 55,000 head, 53,000 and 57,000, liveweights 130 pounds, 131 and 143. Cumulative slaughter was up .1 percent at 1,694,000 head, lamb and mutton production down 4.2 percent at 116.3 million pounds.