U.S. beef and pork production encountered significant challenges in April and May as processing facilities implemented worker safety measures related to COVID-19, raising concerns about available supplies. But as Dan Halstrom, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) president and CEO explains in the audio clip below, production has rebounded significantly in recent weeks. He says this underscores the U.S. industry’s ability to serve both domestic and international customers.
Halstrom explains in the audio, that for the week ending June 27, U.S. cattle slaughter was the second largest of 2020 at 680,000 head, up 4% from the previous week and 1.5% above a year ago. Live cattle weights averaged 1,369 pounds, up 50 pounds from last year. Hog slaughter was estimated at 2.64 million head, up 11% year-over-year and the fourth consecutive week above year ago levels, with live weights up 8 pounds from a year ago to 291 pounds.
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By: Drovers