U.S. Meat Production
3.6% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 885.7 million pounds, five percent less than a week earlier and 3.6 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up .3 percent at 3.78 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 681,000 head compared to 734,000 a week earlier and 671,000 a year ago, liveweights 1225 pounds, 1223 and 1201, respectively. Cumulative slaughter for the year to date is down 2.1 percent at 2,915,000 head.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 30,000 head, 29,000 and 29,000, liveweights 274 pounds, 276 and 305. Cumulative slaughter is down 10.8 percent at 112,000 head.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,965,000 head compared to 2,015,000 and 1,923,000, liveweights 258 pounds, 258 and 259. Cumulative slaughter was down 1.1 percent at 8,359,000 head.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 71,000 head, 67,000 and 72,000, liveweights 133 pounds, 133 and 138. Cumulative slaughter was down 11.4 percent at 266,000 head.