By Justin Walker
Communications Specialist
Commercial red meat production is up five percent for the United States, according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The United States produced 200 million more pounds in October 2017 than in October 2016. Both Texas and Oklahoma saw four percent rises in commercial red meat, with Texas producing 397.3 million pounds this year compared to 380.4 pounds last October.
Texas has seen an increase in production numbers for commercial cattle and hog slaughter rates. According to the report, 36,300 more head of cattle were slaughtered this October compared to last. Total live weight also increased by more than 32,000,000 pounds for the state. The average live weight for the state, however, dropped from 1,327 pounds to 1,296 pounds. The national average dropped 20 pounds in that same time period.
The Lone Star State also increased production of commercial hogs over the last 12 months, reaching 28,300 head in 2017, 1,300 more than last year. Total live weight numbers rose more than 100,000 pounds to 6.9 million in 2017. The average live weight also dropped for commercial hog production this year, down eight pounds from 2016. The national average live weight remained the same at 282.
While Texas had more head slaughtered in 2017 for commercial sheep and lambs, both total live weight and average live weight decreased in the state. Numbers in the U.S. rose for both categories.
Texas’ cattle production stayed relatively close to national averages during the last 12 months, hovering around 1,300 pounds per head. Live weight per head averages for hog production were not as consistent.