May 25, 2004

US Pork Production At Record Monthly High For April

Pork production totaled 1.73 billion pounds, up 4 percent from the previous year, and set a record monthly high. On Friday, the USDA reported that the hog kill totaled 8.65 million head, 4 percent above April 2003. The average live weight was unchanged the previous year, at 268 pounds.

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.71 billion pounds in April, down 3 percent from the 3.85 billion pounds produced in April 2003.

Beef production, at 1.96 billion pounds, was 9 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.70 million head, down 9 percent from April 2003. The average live weight was down 9 pounds from the previous year, at 1,200 pounds.

Veal production totaled 13.9 million pounds, 13 percent below April a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 70,700 head, down 11 percent from April 2003. The average live weight was 7 pounds below last year, at 329 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 17.4 million pounds, was down 11 percent from April 2003. Sheep slaughter totaled 256,000 head, 14 percent below last year. The average live weight was 136 pounds, up 5 pounds from April a year ago.

January to April 2004 commercial red meat production was 14.8 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2003. Accumulated beef production was down 8 percent from last year, veal was down 12 percent, pork was up 5 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 2 percent.