May U.S. Pork Production Down 6%
By Pork news source
| Friday, June 25, 2010
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.73 billion pounds in May, down 5 percent from the 3.92 billion pounds produced in May 2009, according to a USDA livestock report issued Friday.
Pork production totaled 1.62 billion pounds, down 6 percent from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 7.97 million head, down 6 percent from May 2009. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 272 pounds.
Beef production, at 2.09 billion pounds, was 4 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.79 million head, down 2 percent from May 2009. The average live weight was down 15 pounds from the previous year, at 1,249 pounds.
Veal production totaled 10.1 million pounds, 2 percent below May a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 60,400 head, down 8 percent from May 2009. The average live weight was up 18 pounds from last year, at 286 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 12.6 million pounds, was down 3 percent from May 2009. Sheep slaughter totaled 182,700 head, 1 percent below last year. The average live weight was 139 pounds, down 2 pounds from May a year ago.
January to May 2010 commercial red meat production was 19.7 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2009. Accumulated beef production was down 1 percent from last year, veal was down 2 percent, pork was down 4 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 3 percent.
May 2009 and May 2010 both contained 21 weekdays (including one holiday) and 5 Saturdays.
Source: USDA
