Hog and broiler processing for 2005 were at record levels while beef showed mixed results.
According to an analysis of weekly slaughter statistics for the 3 major meat species presented in the Daily Livestock Report, hog slaughter numbers (102.51 million head) and pounds of pork produced (20.499 billion pounds) both set records. While cattle slaughter numbers (31.827 million head) were down approximately 1% from 2004 levels, beef production increased 0.7% to 24.36 billion pounds. Broiler slaughter exhibited the most dramatic increase, up 3.1% to a record 8.201 billion birds through the week ending December 23rd.
This was the fifth straight year of record pork production. Broiler production will also set another record in 2005 as it has consistently since 1973. According to the analysts, we can expect higher production for all three species again in 2006.
Source:
Chicago Mercantile Exchange,
Daily Livestock Report – January 3, 2006