Red Meat Production
Set Records For July

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Commercial red meat production in the United States totaled 3.78 billion pounds in July, up three percent from the previous record high of 3.66 billion pounds produced in July, 1997.

Beef production in July at 2.21 billion pounds was two percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 3.14 million head, down four percent from 1997. The average liveweight was up 25 pounds at 1203 pounds.

Veal production at 21 million pounds was 24 percent less than July a year ago and equal to the previous record July low set in 1994. Calf slaughter was 133,000 head, down one percent from a year ago. The average liveweight was down 74 pounds at 262 pounds.

Pork production at 1.53 billion pounds was up 13 percent from the previous year and 11 percent more than the previous record high for July set in 1992. Hog kill at 8.27 million head was 13 percent move then 1997. The average liveweight was down one pound at 252 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production at 18 million pounds was down 13 percent from July 1997 and five percent less than the previous record July low set in 1994 and 1995. Sheep and lamb slaughter at 281,000 head was eight percent less than last year. The average liveweight was down six pounds at 128 pounds.

January through July red meat production was up four percent at 25.8 billion pounds. Accumulated beef production was up one percent at 14.9 billion pounds, veal was down 23 percent at 147 million pounds, pork was up 10 percent at 10.68 billion pounds, and lamb and mutton was down two percent at 150 million pounds.

July 1998 had the same number of work days as in 1997.