September 25, 2013
US August red meat production down 4% on-year
US commercial red meat production totalled 4.20 billion pounds in August, down 4% from the 4.39 billion pounds produced in August 2012.
Beef production totalled 2.24 billion pounds, 5% below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totalled 2.82 million head, down 6% from August 2012. The average live weight was up 10 pounds from the previous year, at 1,310 pounds.
Veal production was at 9.1 million pounds, 11% below August of last year. Calf slaughter totalled 64,500 head, down 11% from August 2012. The average live weight was up three pounds from last year, at 240 pounds.
Pork production totalled 1.94 billion pounds, down 3% from the same period of last year. Hog slaughter totalled 9.56 million head, down 4% from August 2012. The average live weight was up two pounds from the previous year, at 271 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production records 13.8 million pounds, representing a drop of 3% from August 2012. Sheep slaughter totalled 208,100 head, 4% above last year. The average live weight was 133 pounds, down nine pounds from August a year ago.
January to August 2013 commercial red meat production was 32.5 billion pounds, down slightly from 2012. Accumulated beef production was down 1% from last year, veal was down 6%, pork was down slightly from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 2%.