U.S. Meat Production
1.6% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 831.3 million pounds, down .8 percent from a week earlier and 1.6 percent higher than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 2.5 precent from the previous year at 24.5 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 666,000 head compared to 663,000 a week earlier and 712,000 a year ago, liveweights 1206 pounds, 1205 and 1185, respectively. Cumulative slaughter for the year to date was down 2.9 percent at 19,840,000 head.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 25,000 head, 26,000 and 30,000, liveweights 271 pounds, 179 and 331. Cumulative slaughter was down 6.7 percent at 800,000 head.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,810,000 head, 1,854,000 and 1,613,000, liveweights 254 pounds, 255 and 253. Cumulative slaughter was up 9.9 percent at 54,071,000 head.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 63,000 head, 58,000 and 63,000, liveweights 134 pounds, 135 and 133. Cumulative slaughter was down 2.7 percent at 2,100,000 head.