U.S. Red Meat Output Down in 2004

WASHINGTON - Mar 4/05 - SNS -- Red meat production slipped 2% in the United States during 2004 to 45.6 billion pounds as a steep, 6% decline in beef output in 2004 more than offset record pork production levels, reports the USDA.

Beef production, at 24.7 billion pounds, was 6% below the previous year. Veal production totaled 176 million pounds, down 13% from last year, and set a new record low. Pork production, at 20.5 billion pounds, was 3% above last year, setting a new record high. Lamb and mutton production totaled 199 million pounds, falling 3% below the previous record low set a year ago.

Commercial cattle slaughter during 2004 totaled 32.7 million head, down 8% from 2003, with federal inspection comprising 98.2% of the total. The average live weight was 1,240 pounds, up 9 pounds from a year ago. Steers comprised 50.4% of the total federally inspected slaughter, heifers 32.2%, dairy cows 7.3%, other cows 8.4%, and bulls 1.7%.

Commercial calf slaughter totaled 842,400 head, down 16% from a year ago with 97.7% under federal inspection. The average live weight was 330 pounds, up 12 pounds from a year earlier.

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