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March red meat, pork production hit new monthly highs

The USDA says red meat and pork production during March hit new all-time highs for the month.

The red meat total was 4.535 billion pounds was up 6% on the year, pork was 6% higher at 2.267 billion and beef jumped 7% to 2.248 billion pounds.

The cattle slaughter was 2.766 million head, 9% above last year, with an average live weight of 1,350 pounds, 20 lighter. The hog kill was 10.680 million head, up 6%, with an average live weight of 284 pounds, unchanged from a year ago.

Wednesday, the USDA confirmed record 2016 red meat and pork production.

Three months into the year, 2017 red meat production is 4% ahead of 2016 at 12.764 billion pounds with beef up 6% and pork 3% higher.