Western Farm, Ranch & Dairy Magazine - Ritz Family Publishing, Inc.

14 • Rocky Mountains www.ritzfamilypublishing.com
U.S. Hog Slaughter Second Largest Ever
U.S. Hog slaughter for the week
ending December 20, was 2.225 million
head, the largest in five years
and second-biggest weekly figure
ever.
The all-time high was set the same
week in 1998, at nearly 2.265 million
head. Weekly hog slaughters
during the fourth quarter have averaged
nearly 3.4 percent above a year
ago. This compares with expectations
before the quarter began of approximately
one percent below a year ago.
Heavier carcass weights have added
to total pork production, which for the
quarter is up about 4.8 percent form a
year ago.
Although the week’s kill was nearly
40,000 head below the record week in
1998, estimated pork production was
15.8 million pounds, or 3.68 percent,
above that of the record kill week.
Despite the unexpectedly large
slaughters and pork production this
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quarter, prices are well above a year
ago. The same week a year ago, lean
hog, or carcass prices, in Iowa/southern
Minnesota averaged $40.68 per
hundredweight. Lean values in that
region averaged about. $47.90, up approximately
17.5 percent from a year
ago. During the same week in 1998,
carcass-based prices averaged only
about $16.50.
Industry sources and market analysts
credit the very high wholesale beef
prices and reduced beef production
as supportive for pork. They said the
beef complex is largely responsible
for keeping hog and pork prices from
falling.
Combined meat output for the quarter to
date is running about 4.4 percent below a
year ago, with the increase in pork more
than offset by reduced beef production.
Some also said growing U.S. population
and expanded exports of U.S. pork are
supportive factors for prices.
U.S. cattle slaughter for the week was
634,000 head, compared with 620,000
a week prior and 650,000 a year ago.
Year-to-date cattle slaughter is estimated
at 34,022 million head, down
1.03 percent from a year ago.
Year-to-date hog slaughter is estimated
at 96.791 million head, up 0.20
percent from a year ago. The week’s
combined meat production – for beef
and veal, pork and lamb/mutton – was
estimated at 923.5 million pounds,
versus the previous week’s 896.5 million
and the year-ago figure of 934.3
million pounds.
Combined meat production for the
year to date is estimated at 44.909 billion
pounds, down 1.33 percent from
last year.
Broiler slaughter of the week was
estimated at 154.380 million head,
compared with 153.501 million a
week ago and 152.854 million a year
ago.
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Blevins’ new all metal stirrup buckle 3”, 2-1/2” and
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