U.S. Meat Production
.1% Below A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 820.3 million, 7.9 percent more than a week earlier and .1 percent less than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was 2.6 percent more than the previous year at 22.83 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 675,000 head compared to 633,000 a week earlier and 712,000 a year ago, liveweights 1202 pounds, 1198 and 1183, respectively. Cumulative slaughter for the year to date was down 2.5 percent at 18,511,000 head.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 25,000 head, 24,000 and 30,000, liveweights 287 pounds, 286 and 337. Cumulative slaughter was down 6.2 percent at 749,000 head.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,723,000 head, 1,636,000 and 1,634,000, liveweights 256 pounds, 256 and 254. Cumulative slaughter was up 9.7 percent at 50,407,000 head.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 54,000 head, 58,000 and 66,000, liveweights 136 pounds, 136 and 135. Cumulative slaughter was down 2.4 percent at 1,980,000 head.