April 27, 2004

US Meat Production Higher In March

According to the USDA, meat production in the United States increased 6% in the month of March with pork figures breaking new records.

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.95 billion pounds in March --a six percent jump from the 3.71 billion pounds produced in March 2003.

Beef production, at 2.11 billion pounds, was three percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.87 million head -- up four percent from March 2003. The average live weight was down 17 pounds from the previous year, at 1,217 pounds.

Veal production totaled 14.2 million pounds, 14 percent below March a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 76,900 head, down 10 percent from March 2003. The average live weight was 15 pounds below last year, at 308 pounds.

The real surprise was March pork production. It totaled 1.80 billion pounds, up 11 percent from the previous year, and set a record monthly high. Hog kill totaled 9.04 million head, 11 percent above March 2003. The average liveweight was unchanged the previous year, at 268 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 22.1 million pounds, was up 22 percent from March 2003. Sheep slaughter totaled 306,800 head, 17 percent above last year. The average liveweight was 144 pounds, up six pounds from March a year ago.

The positive news for March reversed some year-to-date bad news. January to March 2004 commercial red meat production was 11.1 billion pounds, down two percent from 2003. Accumulated beef production was down seven percent from last year, veal was down 11 percent, pork was up five percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up six percent.