U.S. Meat Production
5.6% Above A Year Ago

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 893.1 million pounds, 1.1 percent less than a week earlier and 5.6 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 3.5 percent at 27.9 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 703,000 head, compared with 713,000 a week earlier and 678,000 a year ago, liveweights 1253 pounds, 1251 and 1228, respectively. Beef production was 537.8 million pounds. Cumulative cattle slaughter was up .7 percent at 21,393,000 head, beef production up 4.1 percent at 16.16 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 20,000 head, 20,000 and 21,000, liveweights 281 pounds, 286 and 305. Veal production was 3.4 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up 1.2 percent at 594,000 head, veal production down 4.8 percent at 109.2 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,801,000 head, 1,819,000 and 1,728,000, liveweights 261 pounds, 261 and 257. Pork production was 348.3 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up 1.8 percent at 58,302,000 head, pork production up 2.8 percent at 11.5 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 57,000 head, 57,000 and 54,000, liveweights 126 pounds, 127 and 137. Lamb and mutton production was 3.6 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up .9 percent at 1,863,000 head, lamb and mutton production down 3.9 percent at 127 million pounds.