August 29, 2006

US produces more red meat in July

Red meat production in the US edged up 5 percent in July 2006 compared to the same period last year, the USDA said. 

Red meat production from commercial processing plants totaled 3.8 billion pounds in July, up five percent from the 3.6 billion pounds last year, according to the Agency's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)

Beef production rose six percent on-year to 2.2 billion pounds while cattle slaughter was up four percent from July 2005.

Average live weight rose 18 pounds from the previous year to 1,272 pounds.

However, veal production slid 4 percent over July 2005 to total 12 million pounds. Calf slaughter was also down one percent while average live weights for calves went down 10 pounds to 340 pounds.

Pork production was up 3 percent, totaling 1.55 billion pounds. Average live weight per pig was just a pound higher than the previous year at 265 pounds.

Commercial red meat production for the first seven months of the year was 27.1 billion pounds, up five percent from 2005, NASS said. Accumulated beef production was up seven percent from last year, veal output was down four percent and pork was up two percent from last year.