June 26, 2006

US red meat production up 9 percent in May

US red meat production rose 9 percent on-year in May, reaching 4.05 billion pounds from the 3.71 billion pounds in May 2005.

Beef production went up 11 percent to 2.3 billion pounds while cattle slaughter went up 9 percent to 3.04 million head, according to Cattlenetwork.  

The average live weight increased 19 pounds to 1,241 pounds.

Meanwhile, pork production went up 7 percent (1.72 billion pounds) while slaughter went up 6 percent, totaling 8.54 million head. The average live weight was up 1 pound to 271 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production also went up 10 percent from May 2005 at 16.3 million pounds. Sheep slaughter increased 9 percent while the average live weight was also up 1 pound to 144 pounds

Red meat production for the first five months of the year was up 5 percent from 2005 to 19.1 billion pounds.