U.S. Meat Production
1.2% Below A Year Ago

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— Total red meat production under federal inspection last week was estimated at 895.4 million pounds, 15 percent more than during the previous holiday-shortened week and 1.2 percent less than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was up 2.1 percent at 42.2 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 678,000 head compared to 585,000 a week earlier and 661,000 a year ago, liveweights 1219 pounds, 1219 and 1215, respectively. Cumulative cattle slaughter for the year to date was up 1.9 percent at 33,104,000 head. Cumulative beef production was up 2.7 percent at 24.2 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 25,000 head, 21,000 and 30,000, liveweights 298 pounds, 299 and 275. Cumulative slaughter was down 12.2 percent at 1,156,000 head. Cumulative veal production was down 11 percent at 201.2 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 2,029,000 head, 1,778,000 and 2,166,000, liveweights 263 pounds, 262 and 263. Cumulative slaughter was up .5 percent at 92,264,000 head. Cumulative pork production was up 1.6 percent at 17.5 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 77,000 head, 65,000 and 77,000, liveweights 134 pounds, 133 and 134. Cumulative slaughter was down 3.6 percent at 3,265,000 head.

Cumulative lamb and mutton production was down 3.4 percent at 216 million pounds.