U.S. Meat Production
.3% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal last week was estimated at 918 million pounds, .6 percent more than a week ago and .3 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 2.4 percent at 38.7 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 690,000 head compared to 685,000 a week earlier and 680,000 a year ago, liveweights 1216 pounds, 1216 and 1217, respectively. Cumulative cattle slaughter for the year to date was up 1.9 percent at 30,483,000 head. Cumulative beef production was up 2.7 percent at 22.3 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 26,000 head, 25,000 and 27,000, liveweights 298 pounds, 295 and 291. Cumulative slaughter was down 11.8 percent at 1,067,000 head. Cumulative veal production was down 11.1 percent at 185 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 2,113,000 head, 2,101,000 and 2,136,000, liveweights 260 pounds, 259 and 262. Cumulative slaughter was up one percent at 84,389,000 head. Cumulative pork production was up 2.2 percent at 16.02 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 75,000 head, 71,000 and 72,000, liveweights 132 pounds, 130 and 130. Cumulative slaughter was down 4.3 percent at 2,974,000 head. Cumulative lamb and mutton production was down four percent at 196.9 million pounds.