October Red Meat,
Pork Record High

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Both overall red meat and pork set record October highs for U.S. production, while veal and lamb and mutton productions were at record lows.

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.03 billion pounds in October, up one percent from the previous record high for October of four billion pounds produced in October 1997. Commercial meat production January through October was up four percent at 37.5 billion pounds.

October commercial beef production was down three percent from a year ago at 2.23 billion pounds. Cattle slaughter was down five percent at 3.05 million head; the average liveweight was up 19 pounds at 1214 pounds. Accumulated beef production through October was up one percent at 21.55 billion pounds; cattle slaughter was down three percent at 29.8 million head.

Veal production was down 25 percent at 21 million pounds, five percent below the previous record low for October set in 1993. Calf slaughter was down 11 percent at 125,000 head; average liveweight was down 50 pounds at 283 pounds. Accumulated veal production was down 23 percent at 210 million pounds; calf slaughter was down seven percent at 1.2 million head.

Pork production totaled 1.76 billion pounds, up six percent from the previous record high for October set one year ago. This is the seventh monthly record high pork production in 1998. October hog kill was up seven percent at 9.35 million head. The average liveweight was unchanged from the previous year at 257 pounds. Accumulated pork production was up 10 percent at 15.5 billion pounds; hog slaughter was up 10 percent at 87.79 million head.

Lamb and mutton production, at 20 million pounds, was down six percent from the previous record low for October set last year. Sheep and lamb slaughter was down four percent at 323,000 head. The average liveweight was down five pounds at 127 pounds. Accumulated lamb and mutton production was down three percent at 206 million pounds; sheep and lamb slaughter was down three percent at 3.15 million head.

October 1998 contained one more weekday than last year and one fewer Saturday.