US commercial slaughter, July 2003
Commercial Red Meat Production at Record Monthly High for July
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.05 billion
pounds in July, a new monthly high and up 1 percent from the 4.02 billion
pounds produced in July 2002.
July 2002 contained 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
July 2003 contained 23 weekdays (including one holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
Beef production, at 2.44 billion pounds, was slightly above the previous
year. Cattle slaughter totaled 3.29 million head, up 3 percent from July
2002. The average live weight was down 23 pounds from the previous year,
at 1,225 pounds.
Veal production totaled 14.8 million pounds, 12 percent below July a year
ago. Calf slaughter totaled 84,900 head, down 11 percent from July 2002.
The average live weight was 3 pounds below last year, at 288 pounds.
Pork production totaled 1.58 billion pounds, up 1 percent from the
previous year. Hog kill totaled 8.10 million head, slightly above July
2002. The average live weight was 2 pounds above the previous year, at
262 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 15.7 million pounds, was down 4 percent
from July 2002. Sheep slaughter totaled 239,200 head, 8 percent below
last year. The average live weight was 131 pounds, up 5 pounds from July
a year ago.
January to July 2003 commercial red meat production was 27.1 billion
pounds, up slightly from 2002. Accumulated beef production was down
slightly from last year, veal was up 2 percent, pork was up 1 percent
from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 10 percent.
