U.S. Meat Output Surpasses Previous Year

WASHINGTON - Nov/06 - SNS -- Commercial red meat for the United States totaled 4.18 billion pounds in October, up 7% from the 3.93 billion pounds produced in October 2005, show this USDA report.

Beef production, at 2.23 billion pounds, was 7% above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.86 million head, up 7% from October 2005. The average live weight was up 8 pounds from the previous year, at 1,288 pounds.

Veal production totaled 14.1 million pounds, 12% above October a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 63,500 head, up 13% from October 2005. The average live weight was 8 pounds below the previous year, at 362 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.92 billion pounds, up 6% from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 9.64 million head, 6% above October 2005. The average live weight was unchanged from the previous year, at 269 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 15.6 million pounds, was down 1% from October 2005. Sheep slaughter totaled 236,000 head, 3% above last year. The average live weight was 132 pounds, down 6 pounds from October a year ago.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here