Pacific Region Commercial Slaughter
California’s production of red meat during February 2017 totaled 114 million pounds (dressed weight), slightly above than February 2016. This figure includes slaughter in Federally-inspected and state-inspected plants, but excludes farm slaughter. In February 2017, the average live weight of cattle slaughtered in California was 1,307 pounds, calves averaged 91 pounds, sheep and lambs averaged 148 pounds, and hogs averaged 257 pounds. In Hawaii, 700,000 pounds of red meat were produced in February 2017, and 100,000 pounds of red meat were produced in Nevada.
United States Commercial Slaughter
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.94 billion pounds in February 2017, up 1 percent from the 3.90 billion pounds produced in February 2016.
Beef production, at 1.93 billion pounds, was 3 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.37 million head, up 3 percent from February 2016.
Veal production totaled 5.60 million pounds, 8 percent below February a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 40,200 head, up 10 percent from February 2016.
Pork production totaled 1.99 billion pounds, down 1 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.37 million head, down 1 percent from February 2016.
Lamb and mutton production, at 11.2 million pounds, was down 11 percent from February 2016. Sheep slaughter totaled 159,400 head, 9 percent below last year.
Read the full Pacific Region Livestock Slaughter Report. (.pdf)