March 4, 2005

US meat production 0.6 per cent higher than last year

Total red meat production under the United States federal inspection last week was estimated at 838.7 million pounds, 2.5 per cent less than a week earlier and 0.6 per cent more than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was down 2.9 per cent at 5.82 billion pounds.

Cattle slaughter was estimated at 574,000 head, compared with 577,000 a week earlier and 583,000 a year ago, liveweights 1261 pounds, 1261 and 1227, respectively; beef production was 435.4 million pounds. Cumulative cattle slaughter was down 5.3 per cent at 4,643,000 head, beef production down 3.1 per cent at 3.55 billion pounds.

Calf and veal slaughter was estimated at 15,000 head, 15,000 and 17,000, liveweights 330 pounds, 332 and 327; veal production was 2.9 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down 15.2 per cent at 125,000 head, veal production down 20.7 per cent at 23.4 million pounds.

Hog slaughter was estimated at 1,974,000 head, 2,075,000 and 1,974,000, liveweights 270 pounds, 270 and 268; pork production was 396.7 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down 2.7 per cent at 16,058,000 head, pork production down 2.4 per cent at 3.22 billion pounds.

Sheep and lamb slaughter was estimated at 52,000 head, 53,000 and 52,000, liveweights 141 pounds, 140 and 142; lamb and mutton production was 3.7 million pounds. Cumulative slaughter was down four per cent at 390,000 head, lamb and mutton production down 5.2 per cent at 27.3 million pounds.