U.S. Meat Production
6% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 898 million pounds, up 14 percent from a week earlier and six percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 2.8 percent at 31.4 billion pounds.

Cattle Slaughter was estimated at 695,000 head compared to 625,000 a week earlier and 678,000 the same week a year ago, liveweights 1215 pounds, 1213 and 1195, respectively. Cumulative slaughter for the year was down 2.3 percent at 25,384,000 head.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 30,000 head, 26,000 and 31,000, liveweights 264 pounds, 264 and 334. Cumulative slaughter was down 5.6 percent at 1,030,000 head.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 2,037,000 head, 1,733,000 and 1,874,000, liveweights 252 pounds, 252 and 255. Cumulative slaughter was up 9.9 percent at 69,223,000 head.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 73,000 head, 60,000 and 73,000, liveweights 123 pounds, 124 and 132. Cumulative slaughter was down 3.6 percent at 2,615,000 head.