U.S. Meat Production
2.5% Above A Year Ago

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 917.6 million pounds, 2.4 percent less than a week earlier but 2.5 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 3.4 percent at 35.3 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 683,000 head, compared to 700,000 a week earlier and 669,000 a year ago, liveweights 1266 pounds, 1264 and 1246, respectively. Beef production was 526.5 million pounds. Cumulative cattle slaughter was up .6 percent at 26,927,000 head, beef production up 3.7 percent at 20.4 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 21,000 head, 21,000 and 19,000, liveweights 296 pounds, 295 and 302. Veal production was 3.7 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up 1.9 percent at 756,000 head, veal production down 2.7 percent at 139.4 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,987,000 head, 2,038,000 and 1,936,000, liveweights 261 pounds, 260 and 267. Pork production was 383.3 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up 2.5 percent at 74,171,000 head, pork production up 3.2 percent at 14.55 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 63,000 head, 66,000 and 58,000, liveweights 131 pounds, 131 and 138. Lamb and mutton production was 4.1 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was up 1.9 percent at 2,350,000 head, lamb and mutton production up 3.4 percent at 185.1 million pounds.