June 25, 2012

USDA reveals pork production record for May

US pork production has increased by 9% from the previous year, at 1.93 billion pounds, a record for the month of May, according to the USDA.

Hog slaughter totalled 9.28 million head, up 9% from May 2011. The average live weight was up two pounds from the previous year, at 277 pounds.

May had an extra slaughter day this year, so taking that into account, commercial hog slaughter was up 3.7% from a year ago, analysts noted in the CME Group's Daily Livestock Report. Still, they called the monthly increase "quite significant," noting it was the largest over-year increase since September 2008.

USDA reported beef production, at 2.23 billion pounds, was 5% above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totalled 2.88 million head, up 2% from May 2011.

However, taking into account the extra slaughter day, the Daily Livestock Report noted daily cattle slaughter for the month was actually 2.6% below a year ago.

The average live weight was up 27 pounds from the previous year, at 1,280 pounds.

January to May 2012 commercial red meat production was 20.2 billion pounds, up 1% from 2011.

Accumulated beef production was down 1% from last year, veal was down 6%, pork was up 4% from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 3%.

May 2011 contained 22 weekdays (including one holiday) and four Saturdays. May 2012 contained 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and four Saturdays.