November 13, 2008

                             
US beef output seen to increase 1 percent on-year
                             

US beef production this year is projected to increase 1 percent on-year to 12.16 million tonnes cwt, according to the USDA.

Total 2008 US beef output may be placed higher than last year, but forecasts have been reduced from earlier estimates with lower output expectations during the third quarter.

The US produced 1.03 million tonnes of beef in September, up 8 percent on-year. Slaughter of beef cows increased 28 percent, dairy cows up 10 percent, and steers grew 3 percent.

Average carcass weights were relatively high at 358 kg, despite rising proportion of cow slaughter against steers. Rising input costs, high grain prices and the financial crisis in the US have forced cattle producers to trim their herds.

Production in 2009 is forecast to remain unchanged from this year's volumes.