U.S. Meat Production Under Last April

WASHINGTON - May 25/07 - SNS -- Commercial red meat for the United States quantityed to 3.75 billion pounds in April, up 4% from the 3.61 billion pounds produced in April 2006, reveals the current USDA statistics.

Beef production, at 2.02 billion pounds, was 2% above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totalled 2.70 million head, up 4% from April 2006. The average live weight was down 5 pounds from the previous year, at 1,235 pounds.

Veal production totalled 11.8 million pounds, 14% above April a year ago. Calf slaughter totalled 56,900 head, up 19% from April 2006. The average live weight was down 14 pounds from the previous year, at 347 pounds.

Pork production totalled 1.71 billion pounds, up 6% from the previous year. Hog kill totalled 8.47 million head, up 6% from April 2006. The average live weight was down 2 pounds from the previous year, at 270 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 15.1 million pounds, was down 11% from April 2006. Sheep slaughter totalled 216,900 head, 12% below last year. The average live weight was 139 pounds, up 3 pounds from April a year ago.

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