U.S. Meat Production Beneath Last Year

WASHINGTON - Feb 22/08 - SNS -- Commercial red meat for the United States totalled 4.42 billion pounds in January, up 8% from the 4.09 billion pounds produced in January 2007, shows the current USDA update.

Beef production, at 2.23 billion pounds, was 3% above a year ago. Cattle slaughter totalled 2.90 million head, up 4% from January 2007. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 1,291 pounds.

Veal production totalled 11.3 million pounds, 21% below January a year ago. Calf slaughter totalled 71,500 head, 4% below January 2007. The average live weight was down 55 pounds from a year ago, at 269 pounds.

Pork production totalled 2.16 billion pounds, 14% above the previous year. Hog kill totalled 10.6 million head, 13% above January 2007. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from the previous year, at 273 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 14.8 million pounds, was 2% below January 2007. Sheep slaughter totalled 213,400 head, 2% below last year. The average live weight was 139 pounds, unchanged from January a year ago.

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