Red Meat Production
Sets March Record

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.02 billion pounds in March, up eight percent from the 3.73 billion pounds produced in March 1998 and up seven percent from the previous record high for March set in 1995. January-March red meat production was 11.4 billion pounds, three percent above the comparable figure a year earlier.

There was one more weekday in March 1999 than in 1998.

Beef production in March was up seven percent from a year ago at 2.23 billion pounds. Cattle slaughter was up five percent at 3.05 million head, the average liveweight up 16 pounds at 1216 pounds. Accumulated beef production for the first three months of 1999 was up three percent at 6.4 billion pounds, cattle slaughter up one percent at 8.7 million head.

Veal production was down 12 percent at 20 million pounds and set a new record low for March, which was previously set last year. Calf slaughter was down eight percent at 117,000 head, the average liveweight nine pounds below last year at 286 pounds. Accumulated veal production was down 19 percent at 55 million pounds, calf slaughter down 13 percent at 321,800 head.

Pork production was up nine percent from a year ago at 1.74 billion pounds and six percent above the previous record high for March set in 1995. Hog kill was up eight percent at 9.12 million head, the average liveweight two pounds above the previous year at 259 pounds. Accumulated pork procuction up four percent at 4.87 billion pounds, hog slaughter up three percent at 25.57 million head.

Lamb and mutton production for March was up 10 percent at 29 million pounds. Sheep and lamb slaughter was up 10 percent at 423,000 head, the average liveweight down one pound at 137 pounds. Accumulated lamb and mutton production was down two percent at 67 million pounds, lamb and sheep slaughter down one percent at 990,400 head.