March 21, 2008

US red meat production up 10 percent on-year

US commercial red meat production totaled 3.97 billion pounds in February, up 10 percent from the 3.62 billion pounds produced in February 2007, according to USDA  figuers

The increase was largely driven by pork production which rose 16 percent from the previous year to 1.90 billion pounds.  Hog kill totaled 9.38 million head, up 16 percent from February 2007. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from the previous year, at 271 pounds.                                                                               

Beef production, at 2.04 billion pounds, was 4 percent above the previous year.  Cattle slaughter totaled 2.64 million head, up 3 percent from February 2007.  The average live weight was up 11 pounds from the previous year, at 1,285 pounds.                                                                            

January to February 2008 commercial red meat production was 8.38 billion pounds, up 9 percent from 2007.  Accumulated beef production was up 4 percent from last year while pork was up 15 percent from last year.