Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 5/20/16


Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.98 billion pounds in April, down 1 percent from the 4.02 billion pounds produced in April 2015.

April 2016 contained 21 weekdays, no holidays and five Saturdays, while April 2015 contained 22 weekdays, no holidays and four Saturdays.

April beef production, at 1.96 billion pounds, was 2 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.41 million head, up 1 percent from April 2015. The average live weight was up 10 pounds from the previous year, at 1,348 pounds.

April veal production totaled 6.0 million pounds, 10 percent below April a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 34,800 head, down 2 percent from April 2015. The average live weight was down 25 pounds from last year, at 293 pounds.

April pork production totaled 2.00 billion pounds, down 3 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.37 million head, down 3 percent from April 2015. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 285 pounds.

April lamb and mutton production, at 12.8 million pounds, was down 6 percent from April 2015. Sheep slaughter totaled 189,000 head, 5 percent below last year.

The average live weight was 135 pounds, down two pounds from April a year ago.

January to April 2016 commercial red meat production was 16.2 billion pounds, up 2 percent from 2015. Accumulated beef production was up 4 percent from last year, veal was down 6 percent, pork was up slightly from last year and lamb and mutton production was down 1 percent.

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