Livestock Slaughter: Total Red Meat Production Down from Previous Month

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Tuesday, March 25, 2008

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Livestock Slaughter: Total Red Meat Production Down from Previous Month

By the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.97 billion pounds in February, up 10 percent from the 3.62 billion pounds produced in February 2007.

Beef production, at 2.04 billion pounds, was 4 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.64 million head, up 3 percent from February 2007. The average live weight was up 11 pounds from the previous year, at 1,285 pounds.

Veal production totaled 11.0 million pounds, 9 percent below February a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 69,100 head, up 4 percent from February 2007. The average live weight was down 36 pounds from last year, at 272 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.90 billion pounds, up 16 percent from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 9.38 million head, up 16 percent from February 2007. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from the previous year, at 271 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 15.0 million pounds, was up 4 percent from February 2007. Sheep slaughter totaled 211,400 head, 3 percent above last year. The average live weight was 143 pounds, up 3 pounds from February a year ago.

January to February 2008 commercial red meat production was 8.38 billion pounds, up 9 percent from 2007. Accumulated beef production was up 4 percent from last year, veal was down 16 percent, pork was up 15 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 1 percent.