July 24, 2006

US red meat production up 4 percent on-year

US red meat production totaled 4.12 billion pounds in June, up 4 percent from the 3.96 billion pounds produced last year.

Beef production, at 2.43 billion pounds, increased 9 percent on-year.

Cattle slaughter totaled 3.16 million head, up 8 percent from June 2005.

Average live weight went up 14 pounds on-year to 1,259 pounds.

However, pork production, at 1.66 billion pounds, was down 3 percent from the previous year. Slaughter totaled 8.34 million head, 2 percent below June 2005.

Average live weight for hogs stayed the same as last year's 268 pounds.

For the first half of 2006, commercial red meat production was up 5 percent from 2005. Beef production was up 7 percent from last year while pork was up 2 percent.