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Red meat, poultry production down

USDA reports January 2016 poultry and red meat production were below January 2015.

Red meat was 4.056 billion pounds, down 1% on the year. Beef was pegged at 1.954 billion pounds, also 1% lower, with the slaughter declining 2% to 2.359 million head and the average live weight up 23 pounds to 1,381. Pork production was 2.084 billion pounds, 1% less than a year ago, with the kill slightly smaller at 9.745 million head and the average live weight two pounds lighter at 285.

Poultry production came out at 3.783 billion pounds, 2% lower than a year ago. All types of chicken accounted for 3.294 billion pounds, also down 2%, with young chicken at 3.253 billion pounds, and turkey at 476.474 million pounds, 3% lower. The chicken slaughter was 709.479 million head, 4% less than last year, with the turkey kill at 18.696 million head, down 4%. The preliminary live weight of all poultry was 5.002 billion pounds, 3% below last year.

USDA’s poultry and red meat production numbers for February are out March 24th.