U.S. Meat Production
6% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 887.3 million pounds, 1.3 percent less than a week earlier and six percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 3.3 percent at 26.1 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 696,000 head, compared to 708,000 a week earlier and 1,735,000 a year ago, liveweights 1248 pounds, 1246 and 1222, respectively. Beef production was 530.5 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up .5 percent at 19,977,000 head, beef production up 3.9 percent at 15.07 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 18,000 head, 18,000 and 20,000, liveweights 290 pounds, 306 and 308. Veal production was 3.1 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up 1.4 percent at 554,000 head, veal production down 4.9 percent at 102 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,811,000 head, 1,816,000 and 1,735,000, liveweights 261 pounds, 263 and 260. Pork production was 350.1 billion pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up 1.6 percent at 54,682,000 head, pork production up 2.7 percent at 10.8 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 55,000 head, 55,000 and 50,000, liveweights 129 pounds, 130 and 139. Lamb and mutton production was 3.6 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up .4 percent at 1,749,000 head, lamb and mutton production down four percent at 119.9 million pounds.