U.S. Meat Production
5.7% Below A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 825.1 million pounds, .6 percent more than a week earlier and 5.7 percent less than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was down .8 percent at 35.76 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 673,000 head compared to 669,000 a week earlier and 697,000 the same week a year ago, liveweights 1182 pounds, 1184 and 1188. Cumulative slaughter was up 1.9 percent at 30,206,000 head.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 33,000 head, 33,000 and 30,000, liveweights 354 pounds, 353 and 347. Cumulative slaughter was up 22.7 percent at 1,425,000 head.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,851,000 head, 1,835,000 and 2,002,000, liveweights 255 pounds, 254 and 258. Cumulative slaughter was down four percent at 76,034,000 head.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 75,000 head, 80,000 and 86,000, liveweights 126 pounds, 125 and 124. Cumulative slaughter was down 9.1 percent at 3,382,000 head.