050429 Pork Production at Record High; Cattle Slaughter Down

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.88 billion pounds in March, down 2 percent from the 3.95 billion pounds produced in March 2004.

Beef production, at 2.04 billion pounds, was 3 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.72 million head, down 5 percent from March 2004. The average live weight was up 21 pounds from the previous year, at 1,238 pounds.

Veal production totaled 13.3 million pounds, 6 percent below March a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 67,900 head, down 11 percent from March 2004. The average live weight was 20 pounds above last year, at 328 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.80 billion pounds, up slightly from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 8.95 million head, 1 percent below March 2004. The average live weight was 3 pounds above the previous year, at 271 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 19.5 million pounds, was down 12 percent from March 2004. Sheep slaughter totaled 280,300 head, 9 percent below last year. The average live weight was 139 pounds, down 5 pounds from March a year ago.

January to March 2005 commercial red meat production was 11.0 billion pounds, down 1 percent from 2004. Accumulated beef production was down 2 percent from last year, veal was down 13 percent, pork was up slightly from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 7 percent.

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