Post

April red meat production up 1%

 

The USDA reports commercial domestic red meat production during April 2015 was up 1% from April 2014 at 4.016 billion pounds. For 2015, production is 15.899 billion pounds, also up 1% from 2014. Year to year, that includes a 7% rise for pork, against declines of 4% for beef, 23% for veal, and 7% for lamb and mutton.

Beef came out at 1.29 billion pounds, down 6%, with the slaughter 8% lower at 2.383 million head and the average live weight 32 pounds heavier to 1,338 pounds. Veal production totaled 6.6 million pounds, a 21% drop, with the harvest falling 27% to 35,400 head and the average live weight 24 pounds higher at 318 pounds.

Pork was pegged at 2.067 billion pounds, 8% above a year ago, with a 9% increase in the kill to 9.676 million head and a 3 pound decrease in the average live weight at 284 pounds.

Lamb and mutton was reported at 13.6 million pounds, down 10% from last year, with the slaughter 11% lower at 46,000 head and the average live weight up a pound to 67 pounds.