Red Meat Production Down From Previous Month

US - Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.71 billion pounds in July, down 8 percent from the 4.05 billion pounds produced in July 2003, report the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) in their monthly Livestock Slaughter report.

Pork production totaled 1.58 billion pounds, down slightly from the previous year.

Hog kill totaled 8.09 million head, slightly below July 2003.

The average live weight was unchanged the previous year, at 262 pounds.

January to July 2004 commercial red meat production was 26.0 billion pounds, down 4 percent from 2003.

Accumulated beef production was down 9 percent from last year, veal was down 11 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 2 percent.

July 2003 contained 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
July 2004 contained 22 weekdays (including one holiday) and 5 Saturdays.