U.S. Meat Production
3.8% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 930.5 million pounds, .6 percent more than a week earlier and 3.8 percent above a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 2.5 percent at 35.97 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 711,000 head compared to 723,000 a week earlier and 676,000 a year ago, liveweights 1215 pounds, 1214 and 1219, respectively. Cumulative cattle slaughter was up 1.9 percent at 28,398,000 head. Cumulative beef production was up 2.7 percent at 20.78 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 28,000 head, 27,000 and 27,000, liveweights 284 pounds, 279 and 281. Cumulative slaughter was down 11.6 percent at 998,000 head. Cumulative veal production was down 11 percent at 172.4 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 2,109,000 head, 2,032,000 and 2,066,000, liveweights 257 pounds, 256 and 257. Cumulative slaughter was up 1.1 percent at 78,134,000 head. Cumulative pork production was up 2.4 percent at 14.8 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 69,000 head, 69,000 and 70,000, liveweights 129 pounds, 129 and 128. Cumulative slaughter was down 4.6 percent at 2,757,000 head. Cumulative lamb and mutton production was down 4.6 percent at 182.5 million pounds.