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

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 810 million pounds, 11.7 percent less than a week earlier and six percent more than the same week a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 3.2 percent at 40.26 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 614,000 head compared to 678,000 a week earlier and 613,000 a year ago, liveweights 1216 pounds, 1217 and 1194, respectively. Cumulative slaughter was down 2.1 percent at 32,057,000 head.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 18,000 head, 24,000 and 26,000, liveweights 292 pounds, 289 and 307. Cumulative slaughter was down 5.8 percent at 1,312,000 head.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,863,000 head, 2,173,000 and 1,678,000, liveweights 260 pounds, 259 and 260. Cumulative slaughter was up 9.8 percent at 89,766,000 head.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 57,000 head, 72,000 and 66,000, liveweights 129 pounds, 128 and 138. Cumulative slaughter was down three percent at 3,323,000 head.