September Red Meat
Sets Record High

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Commercial red meat production in the United States totaled 3.83 billion pounds in September, setting a new record high production for the month. It was the fourth consecutive month for record high meat production. The September volume was up four percent from September 1997 and three percent higher than the previous September record set in 1994.

Both September 1998 and 1997 had 22 weekdays including one holiday, and four Saturdays.

Beef production in September was three percent more than a year ago at 2.19 billion pounds. Cattle slaughter was up one percent at 2.99 million head, liveweights up 20 pounds at 1213 pounds. Cumulative beef production for the year was up one percent at 19.31 billion pounds, cattle slaughter down three percent at 26.74 million head.

Veal production was down 22 percent from a year ago at 21 million pounds and equaled the previous record September low set in 1993. Calf slaughter was down one percent at 135,300 head, liveweights down 65 pounds at 269 pounds. Cumulative veal production was down 23 percent at 189 million pounds, calf slaughter down six percent at 1.09 million head.

Pork production was up seven percent from the previous year at 1.59 billion pounds and three percent above the previous record high September set in 1994. This is the sixth month of record high pork production in 1998. Hog slaughter was up seven percent at 8.59 million head, liveweights down one pound at 253 pounds. Cumulative pork production was up 10 percent at 13.74 billion pounds, hog slaughter up 10 percent at 73.44 million head.

Lamb and mutton production was down eight percent at 19 million pounds and five percent below the previous record low for September set in 1996. Sheep and lamb slaughter was down five percent at 305,800 head, liveweights down four pounds at 125 pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down three percent at 186 million pounds, sheep and lamb slaughter down three percent at 2.82 million head.