U.S. Meat Production
1.8% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 913.6 million pounds, .5 percent less than a week earlier and 1.8 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 2.4 percent at 37.8 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 685,000 head compared to 702,000 a week earlier and 674,000 a year ago, liveweights 1216 pounds, 1216 and 1214, respectively. Cumulative cattle slaughter for the year to date was up 1.9 percent at 29,784,000 head. Cumulative beef production was up 2.7 percent at 21.8 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 25,000 head, 26,000 and 27,000, liveweights 295 pounds, 290 and 296. Cumulative slaughter was down 11.9 percent at 1,042,000 head. Cumulative veal production was down 11.2 percent at 180.5 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 2,108,000 head, 2,076,000 and 2,096,000, liveweights 259 pounds, 258 and 260. Cumulative slaughter was up 1.1 percent at 82,299,000 head. Cumulative pork production was up 2.3 percent at 15.6 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 71,000 head, 73,000 and 71,000, liveweights 130 pounds, 129 and 128. Cumulative slaughter was down 4.5 percent at 2,901,000 head. Cumulative lamb and mutton production was down 4.3 percent at 191.8 million pounds.