U.S. Meat Production
3.5% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 838.2 million pounds, .3 percent less than a week earlier and 3.5 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 4.1 percent at 19.7 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 698,000 head compared to 716,000 a week earlier and 695,000 last year, liveweights 1190 pounds, 1191 and 1163, respectively. Cumulative slaughter for the year to date was down 2.7 percent at 15,799,000 head.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 24,000, 24,000 and 27,000, liveweights 303 pounds, 300 and 367. Cumulative slaughter was down 5.4 percent at 650,000 head.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,750,000 head, 1,688,000 and 1,653,000, liveweights 256 pounds, 256 and 257. Cumulative slaughter was up 9.5 percent at 43,520,000 head.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 64,000 head, 55,000 and 68,000, liveweights 141 pounds, 142 and 139. Cumulative slaughter was down 1.7 percents at 1,735,000 head.