U.S. Meat Production
6.4% Below A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 663.8 million pounds, 18 percent less than a week earlier and 6.4 percent less than the same week a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date at 22.007 billion pounds was 1.1 percent more than the previous year.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 591,000 head compared to 733,000 a week earlier and 604,000 a year ago, liveweights 1165 pounds, 1163 and 1185. Cumulative slaughter for the year to date was up five percent at 18,693,000 head.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 24,000 head, 29,000 and 24,000, liveweights 371 pounds, 372 and 369. Cumulative slaughter was up 20.2 percent at 831,000 head.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,311,000 head, 1,563,000 and 1,466,000, liveweights 257 pounds, 256 and 255. Cumulative slaughter was down 4.2 percent at 46,287,000 head.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 56,000 head, 64,000 and 65,000, liveweights 132 pounds, 132 and 127. Cumulative slaughter was down 11 percent at 2,118,000 head.