February 25, 2013
US sees rising beef output and slaughter
US beef output and slaughter figures are up in January 2013 as a widespread drought has caused ranchers to sell off livestock.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that commercial red meat production totalled 4.35 billion pounds in January. This is up 5% from the same month in 2012.
Beef production totalled 2.26 billion pounds for a 7% jump from the same month a year ago.
Some 2.83 million head of cattle were slaughtered in January. That is 4% more cattle than the previous January.
Production of veal, pork, lamb and mutton also was up in January.
