July 13, 2009
USDA predicts reduced beef production this year
The US will be producing more poultry and pork than expected this year, but the forecast for beef production was lowered this month, according to the new supply and demand report released Friday (July 10) by the US Department of Agriculture.
"Total US meat production for 2009 is reduced as lower beef output more than offsets higher pork and poultry production," the USDA said in its July edition of its World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report.
US beef production this year is now forecast at 26.4 billion pounds, a drop from the June prediction of 26.565 billion pounds.
"The beef production forecast is reduced for 2009 due to lower expected feedlot placements and slightly lighter average carcass weights," the USDA said in the report.
Pork production this year is now expected to total 22.801 billion pounds. That's an increase from the USDA's June forecast of 22.766 billion pounds.
"The pork production forecast is raised due to larger-than-expected second quarter slaughter and heavier carcass weights," the USDA said.
The forecast for total poultry production this year was raised Friday to 41.331 billion pounds, up from the June forecast of 41.237 billion pounds.
