031235 Live Cattle Weights Rise, Hog Weights Steady

According to USDA's Weekly Total Red Meat Production Report for the week ending December 20, live cattle weights rose and hog weights were steady.

The report shows average live cattle weights at 1,245 pounds, up 3 pounds from last week, but 20 pounds lighter than year-ago. Live hog weights at 270 pounds were steady with last week and 2 pounds heavier than year-ago.

Dressed cattle weights at 745 pounds were 2 pounds heavier than last week and 19 pounds lighter than year-ago. Dressed hog weights at 201 pounds were steady with last week and 2 pounds heavier than year-ago.

Total beef production was 2.6% higher than last week, but 4.9% lighter than year-ago as slaughter dropped 2.5% from year-ago. Pork production was 3.6% heavier than last week and 2.2% above year-ago, as slaughter rose 2.2% from year-ago.

For the year, total beef production is running 3.0% behind year-ago, compared to 3.0% behind last week, Pork production is 1.1% above year-ago compared to 1.0% above last week.

Estimated Weekly Meat Production Under Federal Inspection: Total red meat production under Federal inspection for the week ending Saturday, December 20, 2003 was estimated at 923.5 million lbs. according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Marketing Service. This was 3.0% higher than a week ago and 1.2% lower than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was 1.3% lower compared to the previous year.

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