October Red Meat Off,
Lamb-Mutton Record Low

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Commercial red meat production for the United States in October totaled four billion pounds, down one percent from 4.03 billion pounds produced in October 1998.

October 1999 had one fewer weekday than last year.

Beef production was up one percent from a year ago at 2.26 billion pounds. Cattle slaughter was up one percent at 3.09 million head, the average liveweight down one pound 1213 pounds.

Veal production was down 12 percent at 19 million pounds and at a record low for October set a year ago. Calf slaughter was down 16 percent at 105,000 head, the average liveweight 16 pounds above last year at 298 pounds.

Pork production was down three percent at 1.7 billion pounds. Hog kill was down four percent at 8.95 million head, the average liveweight two pounds above the previous year, at 259 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production was down four percent at 20 million pounds and at a record low for October set last year. Sheep slaughter was down six percent at 305,000 head, the average liveweight up three pounds at 130 pounds.

January through October red meat production was up two percent at 38.4 billion pounds. Accumulated beef production was up three percent at 22.13 billion pounds, veal was down 12 percent at 186 million pounds, pork up two percent at 15.9 billion pounds, and lamb and mutton down four percent at 197 million pounds.

January through October commercial cattle slaughter was up two percent at 30.3 million head, calves down 12 percent at 1.1 million, hogs up one percent at 83.8 million and sheep and lambs down four percent at 3.01 million head.