U.S. Meat Production
1.6% Above A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 894.5 million pounds, 2.6 percent less than a week earlier but 1.6 percent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 2.4 percent at 39.6 billion pounds.

Cattle Slaughter was estimated at 674,000 head compared to 690,000 a week earlier and 651,000 the same week a year ago, liveweights 1217 pounds, 1216 and 1216, respectively. Cumulative cattle slaughter for the year was up two percent at 31,164,000 head. Cumulative beef production was up 2.8 percent at 22.8 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 26,000 head, 26,000 and 27,000, liveweights 300 pounds, 298 and 278. Cumulative slaughter was down 11.8 percent at 1,091,000 head. Cumulative veal production was down 10.9 percent at 189.4 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 2,045,000 head, 2,113,000 and 2,088,000, liveweights 261 pounds, 260 and 261. Cumulative slaughter was up .9 percent at 86,427,000 head. Cumulative pork production was up 2.1 percent at 16.4 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 77,000 head, 75,000 and 71,000, liveweights 133 pounds, 132 and 131. Cumulative slaughter was down four percent at 3,051,000 head. Cumulative lamb and mutton production was down 3.7 percent at 202 million pounds.