Red Meat Production Lags Last Year

WASHINGTON - Jul 20/07 - SNS -- Commercial red meat for the United States quantityed to 4.03 billion pounds in June, down 3% from the 4.14 billion pounds produced in June 2006, shows the current USDA data.

Beef production, at 2.35 billion pounds, was 4% below last year. Cattle slaughter totalled 3.08 million head, down 3% from June 2006. The average live weight was down 14 pounds from the previous year, at 1,250 pounds.

Veal production totalled 11.2 million pounds, 10% below June a year ago. Calf slaughter totalled 61,100 head, up 4% from June 2006. The average live weight was down 45 pounds from last year, at 308 pounds.

Pork production totalled 1.65 billion pounds, down 1% from the previous year. Hog kill totalled 8.30 million head, down 1% from June 2006. The average live weight was unchanged from the previous year, at 267 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 13.7 million pounds, was down 5% from June 2006. Sheep slaughter totalled 200,400 head, 5% below last year. The average live weight was 137 pounds, up 2 pounds from June a year ago.

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