U.S. Red Meat Production Sets December Record

American red meat production totaled 4.40 billion pounds in December of 2017, up slightly from December of the previous year.  For the calendar year 2017, commercial red meat production was 52 billion pounds. That was 3% higher than the previous year. Additional packing capacity helped make 2017 a very good year for pork producers.

Large export demand at home and overseas kept cattle supplies busy. Pork production hit a record high of 2.23 billion pounds in December, up 1% from 2016. Hog slaughter totaled 10.5 million head, down slightly over the previous December. Beef production in December reached 2.15 billion pounds, down 1% from 2016. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.58 million head, down 1% from December of the previous year. Lamb and mutton production was 12.8 million pounds in December, down 2% over December of 2016. Sheep slaughter was just 188,100 head, a 5% drop from 2016.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com