January 17, 2007

USDA adjusts broiler and meat production estimates

The USDA has trimmed its broiler and red meat production estimates for 2006 and 2007 in a recent report called "World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates".

The USDA cut 49 million pounds of broiler meat production from its December estimates of 2006 broiler production down to 35.416 billion pounds

2007 output would also likely be 35.803 billion pounds, 24 million pounds less than USDA's December report.

These meant production increased 1.2 percent increase for 2006 and a 1.1 percent for 2007.

The USDA also reduced its 2007 predictions for red meat production.

Red meat production for 2007 is expected to be 48.822 billion pounds, compared with last month's outlook of 49.026 billion pounds. The increase in red meat production in 2007 would be 2.7 percent over 2006, the report said.