News

Red meat production down 1% in February

Monthly Livestock Slaughter Report from USDA puts commercial red meat production in February at 3.65 billion pounds down 1 percent from February of 2013. Beef production at 1.79 billion pounds was down 5 percent from a year ago. Cattle slaughter was 5 percent lower at 2.24 million head while average live weight was up 10 pounds at 1,330.

237,000 dairy cows were sent to slaughter in February down 22,000 head compared to February of 2013. 507,000 dairy cows were slaughtered the first two months of the year compared to 556,000 the first two months of 2013.

Veal production totaled 8.2 million pounds in February down 9 percent from a year ago. Calf slaughter was 12 percent lower at 52,200 while average live weights were up 9 pounds to 267.

Pork production totaled 1.84 billion pounds in February up 4 percent from the previous year. 8.67 million hogs were slaughtered, a 1 percent increase from February of 2013. The average hog was 6 pounds heavier at 283 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production was up 1 percent to 11.6 million pounds in February. Sheep slaughter was 4 percent higher at 168,200 but the average live weight was down 4 pounds at 138.