U.S. Meat Production
3.4% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 879.5 million pounds, 1.5 percent less than a week ago and 3.4 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was two percent above a year ago at 15 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 707,000 head compared to 694,000 a week earlier and 679,000 a year ago, liveweights 1206 pounds, 1208 and 1194, respectively. Cumulative slaughter for the year to date was down .2 percent at 11,541,000 head.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 24,000 head, 22,000 and 24,000, liveweights 292 pounds, 286 and 296. Cumulative slaughter was down 13.2 percent at 411,000 head.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,864,000 head, 1,981,000 and 1,867,000, liveweights 260 pounds, 260 and 256. Cumulative slaughter was up 1.5 percent at 33,496,000 head.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 58,000 head, 66,000 and 69,000, liveweights 136 pounds, 134 and 141. Cumulative slaughter was down 7.3 percent at 1,259,000 head.