Pork Production up 1 Percent from Last Year
January 2014 contained 23 weekdays (including 2 holidays) and 4 Saturdays. January 2015 contained 22 weekdays (including 2 holidays) and 5 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.09 billion pounds in January, down 4 percent from the 4.25 billion pounds produced in January 2014.
Beef production, at 1.96 billion pounds, was 8 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.42 million head, down 10 percent from January 2014. The average live weight was up 24 pounds from the previous year, at 1,358 pounds.
Veal production totaled 6.8 million pounds, 27 percent below January a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 39,900 head, 37 percent below January 2014. The average live weight was up 38 pounds from last year, at 291 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.10 billion pounds, 1 percent above the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.76 million head, slightly below January 2014. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 287 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 11.5 million pounds, was 7 percent below January 2014. Sheep slaughter totaled 165,700 head, 8 percent below last year. The average live weight was 140 pounds, up 3 pounds from January a year ago.
Source: USDA