Red Meat Production Lags Previous Year

WASHINGTON - Sep 21/07 - SNS -- Commercial red meat for the United States totalled 4.33 billion pounds in August, up 2% from the 4.26 billion pounds produced in August 2006, shows this USDA statistics.

Beef production, at 2.45 billion pounds, was a little above last year. Cattle slaughter totalled 3.13 million head, down slightly from August 2006. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 1,279 pounds.

Veal production totalled 10.3 million pounds, 20% below August a year ago. Calf slaughter totalled 65,400 head, down 2% from August 2006. The average live weight was down 54 pounds from last year, at 268 pounds.

Pork production totalled 1.85 billion pounds, up 4% from the previous year. Hog kill totalled 9.39 million head, up 3% from August 2006. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 263 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 14.7 million pounds, was up 1% from August 2006. Sheep slaughter totalled 227,500 head, slightly above last year. The average live weight was 129 pounds, unchanged from August a year ago.

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