News

New high for August red meat production

U.S. red meat production hit a new monthly record high in August.

The USDA says production last month was 4.630 billion pounds, up 4% on the year, with increased cattle and hog slaughter rates and steady to larger average live weights contributing to that new all-time high. Beef totaled 2.401 billion pounds, 6% higher, with the kill at 2.942 million head, 7% higher, and the average live weight at 1,345 pounds, 7 lighter, but essentially unchanged. Pork came out at 2.210 billion pounds, 3% above a year ago, with the slaughter at 10.660 million head, up 3%, and the average light weight 2 pounds, or 1%, heavier. From August to July, the cattle slaughter increased 14% and the hog kill jumped 19%.

Veal and lamb and mutton production were also up from August 2016. Veal was pegged at 6.4 million pounds, 5% higher, with the slaughter at 46,200 head, up 3%, and the average live weight down 7% or 17 pounds at 238 pounds. Lamb and mutton totaled 12.8 million pounds, up 2%, with the kill at 194,100 head, basically steady, and the average light weight of 132 pounds, up 2 pounds and 2%.

For the year to date, U.S. red meat production is 33.979 billion pounds, 4% ahead of the year ago pace. Cumulative beef production is 5% faster and pork is 3% higher, while veal is down 1% and lamb and mutton is 4% slower.

The USDA’s cold storage report is out Friday at 3 Eastern/2 Central.