U.S. Meat Production
3.8% Above A Year Ago

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 945.1 million pounds, .4 percent more than a week earlier and 3.8 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 3.6 percent at 30.7 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 715,000 head, compared with 725,000 a week earlier and 720,000 a year ago, liveweights 1262 pounds, 1259 and 1237, respectively. Beef production was 552 million pounds. Cumulative cattle slaughter was up .6 percent at 23,550,000 head, beef production up four percent at 17.8 million pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 21,000 head, 21,000 and 20,000, liveweights 286 pounds, 286 and 294. Veal production was 3.6 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up 1.4 percent at 656,000 head, veal production down four percent at 120.5 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 2,011,000 head, 1,958,000 and 1,868,000, liveweights 259 pounds, 259 and 260. Pork production was 385.6 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up 202 percent at 64,159,000 head, pork production up 3.2 percent at 12.6 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 62,000 head, 56,000 and 61,000, liveweights 128 pounds, 127 and 139. Lamb and mutton production was 3.9 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up .9 percent at 2,037,000 head, lamb and mutton production down 4.4 percent at 137.8 million pounds.