May Meat Production
Up From A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.58 billion pounds in May, up slightly from the 3.57 billion pounds produced in May 1997. May 1998 had one fewer weekday than a year ago. January through May red meat production was up four percent at 18.3 billion pounds.

Beef production in May was down three percent from a year ago at 2.12 billion pounds, cattle slaughter down seven percent at 2.96 million head, and average liveweights up 39 pounds at 1188 pounds. Accumulated cattle slaughter for the first five months of the year was down four percent at 14.567 million head, beef production slightly more than the same period a year ago at 10.429 billion pounds.

Veal production was 27 percent below 1997 at 19 million pounds and five percent below the previous record low for May set in 1993. Calf slaughter was down 13 percent at 102,000 head, average liveweights down 59 pounds at 302 pounds. Accumulated calf slaughter was down 11 percent at 579,400 head, veal production down 23 percent at 106 million pounds.

Pork production was up seven percent from 1997 at 1.42 billion pounds. Hog kill was also up seven percent at 7.57 million head, average liveweight unchanged at 256 pounds. Accumulated hog slaughter was up 10 percent at 40.677 million head, pork production up 10 percent at 7.673 billion pounds.

Lamb and mutton production was down 11 percent at 19 million pounds and 10 percent below the previous record low for May set in 1996. Sheep and lamb slaughter was down 11 percent at 281,000 head, average liveweights unchanged at 139 pounds. Accumulated sheep and lamb slaughter was down one percent at 1.668 million head, lamb and mutton production up one percent at 110 million pounds.