September 24, 2007

US red meat production for August up 2 percent on-year

Commercial red meat production for the US totaled 4.33 billion pounds in August, up 2 percent from the 4.26 billion pounds produced in August 2006.

Beef production, at 2.45 billion pounds, was slightly above the previous year.

Cattle slaughter totaled 3.13 million head, down slightly from August 2006. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 1,279 pounds.

However, veal production was 20 percent below August a year ago, reaching 10.3 million pounds. Calf slaughter totaled 65,400 head, down 2 percent from August 2006. The average live weight was down 54 pounds from last year, at 268 pounds.

Meanwhile, pork production totaled 1.85 billion pounds, up 4 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.39 million head, up 3 percent from August 2006. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 263 pounds.

Year-to-date (January- August) production was 31.8 billion pounds, up 2 percent from 2006.

Accumulated beef production was up 1 percent from last year, veal was up 1 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 2 percent.