U.S. Meat Production
1.7% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 886.7 million pounds, up 1.8 percent from a week earlier and up 1.7 percent from a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was 2.9 percent more than a year ago at 34.04 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 674,000 head compared to 662,000 a week earlier and 699,000 a year ago, liveweights 1216 pounds, 1217 and 1200, respectively. Cumulative slaughter for the year to date was down 2.2 percent at 27,397,000 head.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 30,000 head, 29,000 and 30,000, liveweights 262 pounds, 263 and 328. Cumulative slaughter was down 5.4 percent at 1,118,000 head.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 2,054,000 head, 2,021,000 and 1,896,000, liveweights 253 pounds, 252 and 256. Cumulative slaughter was up 9.8 percent at 75,310,000 head.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 72,000 head, 69,000 and 69,000, liveweights 124 pounds, 125 and 133. Cumulative slaughter was down 3.2 percent at 2,826,000 head.