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WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Commercial red meat production for the United States in February was down three percent from last year at 3.4 billion pounds. Pork production set a record high for February. February beef production was down seven percent at 1.8 billion pounds, cattle slaughter down six percent at 2.43 million head, and average liveweight down 28 pounds at 1,233 pounds. Veal production was down nine percent at 14.5 million pounds, calf slaughter down 14 percent at 71,500 head, and average liveweight up 19 pounds at 336 pounds. Pork production was up three percent at 1.57 billion pounds, a record high for February. Hog kill was up three percent at 7.89 million head, average liveweight up one pound at 268 pounds. Lamb and mutton production was down two percent at 14.8 million pounds, sheep slaughter down six percent at 213,000 head, and average liveweight up six pounds at 139 pounds. January-February 2004 commercial red meat production was down six percent at 7.1 billion pounds. Accumulated beef production was down 12 percent at 3.73 billion pounds, veal down nine percent at 30.5 million pounds, pork up two percent at 3.33 billion pounds, and lamb and mutton production down three percent 30.2 million pounds. Both February 2003 and 2004 contained 20 weekdays and four Saturdays. Cattle slaughter under federal inspection was 98.1 percent of total production, calves 98 percent, hogs 99 percent, and sheep and lambs 94 percent. |
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