U.S. Meat Production
2.3% Below A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection Thanksgiving week was estimated at 775.6 million pounds, 13 percent less than a week earlier and 2.3 percent less than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 2.2 percent at 41.3 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 581,000 head compared to 676,000 a week earlier and 592,000 a year ago, liveweights 1219 pounds, 1219 and 1213, respectively. Cumulative cattle slaughter for the year to date was up 2.7 percent at 32,422,000 head. Cumulative beef production was up 1.9 percent at 23.7 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 21,000 head, 26,000 and 22,000, liveweights 299 pounds, 300 and 289. Cumulative slaughter was down 10.8 percent at 1,133,000 head. Cumulative veal production was down 11.9 percent at 197.1 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,778,000 head, 2,021,000 and 1,857,000, liveweights 262 pounds, 261 and 261. Cumulative slaughter was up 1.8 percent at 90,225,000 head. Cumulative pork production was up .6 percent at 17.15 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 65,000 head, 74,000 and 61,000, liveweights 133 pounds each period. Cumulative slaughter was down 3.4 percent at 3,187,000 head. Cumulative lamb and mutton production was down 3.8 percent at 211 million head.