Livestock Slaughter (Monthly Report)

Livestock
Slaughter
Washington, D.C.

Released March 20, 2008, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of
Agriculture. For information on Livestock Slaughter call Benita Hodge at (515) 284-4340, office hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT.

Total Red Meat Production Down from Previous Month
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.97 billion pounds in February, up
10 percent from the 3.62 billion pounds produced in February 2007.
Beef production, at 2.04 billion pounds, was 4 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled
2.64 million head, up 3 percent from February 2007. The average live weight was up 11 pounds from the
previous year, at 1,285 pounds.
Veal production totaled 11.0 million pounds, 9 percent below February a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled
69,100 head, up 4 percent from February 2007. The average live weight was down 36 pounds from last year,
at 272 pounds.
Pork production totaled 1.90 billion pounds, up 16 percent from the previous year. Hog kill totaled
9.38 million head, up 16 percent from February 2007. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from the
previous year, at 271 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 15.0 million pounds, was up 4 percent from February 2007. Sheep
slaughter totaled 211,400 head, 3 percent above last year. The average live weight was 143 pounds, up
3 pounds from February a year ago.
January to February 2008 commercial red meat production was 8.38 billion pounds, up 9 percent from
2007. Accumulated beef production was up 4 percent from last year, veal was down 16 percent, pork was up
15 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 1 percent.
February 2007 contained 20 weekdays (including one holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
February 2008 contained 21 weekdays (including one holiday) and 4 Saturdays.

Mt An 1-2 (3-08)

Contents
Page
Red Meat Production, Commercial and FI, by Type, U.S .............................................................. 1
Livestock Slaughter, Number and Average Weights,
by Species and Type of Slaughter, U.S............................................................................... 2
Commercial Red Meat Production, by State and U.S..................................................................... 3
Commercial Cattle Slaughter, Number, Total and Average
Live Weight, by State and U.S............................................................................................ 4
Commercial Calf Slaughter, Number, Total and Average
Live Weight, by State and U.S............................................................................................ 5
Commercial Hog Slaughter, Number, Total and Average
Live Weight, by State and U.S............................................................................................ 6
Commercial Sheep and Lamb Slaughter, Number, Total
and Average Live Weight, by State and U.S. ..................................................................... 7
Federally Inspected Classification of Number and
Average Dressed Weight, by Species and Class and U.S. .................................................. 8
Federally Inspected Slaughter by Species and Class, by
Region and U.S. .................................................................................................................. 9
Federally Inspected Percent of Total Commercial, by
Species, U.S. ..................................................................................................................... 11
Reliability Statement................................................................................................................... ..18
Types of Plants.............................................................................................................................. 19
Terms and Definitions................................................................................................................... 20
Information Contacts..................................................................................................................... 20

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

i

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Type

Commercial Red Meat Production: United States 1
Feb 08 % of
Feb
Jan
Feb
Feb
Jan
2007
2008
2008
2007
2007
2008
Million
Pounds

Million
Pounds

Million
Pounds

Percent

Percent

Million
Pounds

Jan - Feb 2
2008

08 as %
of 07

Million
Pounds

Percent

Beef
Veal
Pork
Lamb & Mutton

1,952.5
12.1
1,636.3
14.4

2,232.0
11.3
2,157.8
14.8

2,039.0
11.0
1,902.6
15.0

104
91
116
104

91
98
88
102

4,118.4
26.4
3,534.8
29.5

4,271.0
22.3
4,060.5
29.8

104
84
115
101

Total Red Meat 3

3,615.4

4,415.9

3,967.6

110

90

7,709.1

8,383.5

109

1
2
3

Based on packers' dressed weights and excludes farm slaughter.
Accumulated totals and percentages based on unrounded data.
Totals may not equal sum of the parts due to rounding.

Type

Federally Inspected Red Meat Production: United States 1
Feb 08 % of
Feb
Jan
Feb
Feb
Jan
2007
2008
2008
2007
2007
2008
Million
Pounds

Million
Pounds

Million
Pounds

Percent

Percent

Million
Pounds

Jan - Feb 2
2008

08 as %
of 07

Million
Pounds

Percent

Beef
Veal
Pork
Lamb & Mutton

1,924.2
11.9
1,623.2
13.9

2,199.4
11.0
2,143.4
14.2

2,009.7
10.8
1,888.3
14.5

104
90
116
104

91
98
88
102

4,055.9
25.9
3,507.5
28.4

4,209.1
21.8
4,031.7
28.7

104
84
115
101

Total Red Meat 3

3,573.2

4,368.0

3,923.3

110

90

7,617.7

8,291.3

109

1
2
3

Based on packers' dressed weights and excludes farm slaughter.
Accumulated totals and percentages based on unrounded data.
Totals may not equal sum of the parts due to rounding.

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

1

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Species

Cattle No.
Fed. Insp.
Other
Comm'l. 3
Live Wt/Hd
Fed. Insp.
Other
Comm'l.
Calves No.
Fed. Insp.
Other
Comm'l. 3
Live Wt/Hd
Fed. Insp.
Other
Comm'l.
Hogs No.
Fed. Insp.
Other
Comm'l. 3
Live Wt/Hd
Fed. Insp.
Other
Comm'l.
Sheep&Lambs No.
Fed. Insp.
Other
Comm'l. 3
Live Wt/Hd
Fed. Insp.
Other
Comm'l.
Goats No.
Fed. Insp.
Other
Comm'l. 3
Live Wt/Hd
Fed. Insp.
Other
Comm'l.
Bison No.
Fed. Insp.
Other
Comm'l. 3

Livestock Slaughter: Number and Average Weights, United States 1
Feb 08 % of
Feb
Jan
Feb
Unit
Feb
Jan
2007
2008
2008
2007
2007
2008

Thou
Thou
Thou

2,517.6
43.6
2,561.2

Lbs
Lbs
Lbs

1,276
1,152
1,274

Thou
Thou
Thou
Lbs
Lbs
Lbs
Thou
Thou
Thou

65.6
1.1
66.7
306
403
308
8,039.8
77.5
8,117.3

*2,847.4
51.0
*2,898.4

2008

08 %
of 07

Percent

Percent

2,598.0
45.2
2,643.2

103
104
103

91
89
91

1,287
1,148
1,285

101
100
101

99
101
99

104
102
104

96
107
97

138.8
2.2
141.0

138.3
2.3
140.5

100
103
100

270
389
272

88
97
88

101
94
101

315
395
316

269
402
271

85
102
86

9,297.4
80.7
9,378.1

116
104
116

89
97
89

1,294
1,141
1,291
70.4
1.1
71.5

67.9
1.2
69.1

267
416
269
*10,474.1
83.1
10,557.1

Jan - Feb 2

Prcnt

5,265.6
95.8
5,361.4

5,445.4
96.2
5,541.7

103
100
103

1,284
1,155
1,282

1,291
1,144
1,288

100
99
100

17,321.2
161.1
17,482.3

19,771.5
163.8
19,935.2

114
102
114

Lbs
Lbs
Lbs

270
234
269

273
239
273

271
245
271

100
105
100

99
102
99

271
234
270

272
242
272

101
103
101

Thou
Thou
Thou

194.3
10.4
204.7

201.6
11.8
213.4

201.4
9.9
211.4

104
95
103

100
84
99

398.5
21.0
419.5

403.1
21.7
424.8

101
103
101

Lbs
Lbs
Lbs

143
96
140

141
102
139

144
108
143

101
112
102

102
106
103

142
102
140

143
105
141

101
102
101

Thou
Thou
Thou

40.8
14.0
54.7

49.1
12.4
61.5

44.9
15.1
60.0

110
108
110

91
122
98

86.5
26.1
112.6

94.0
27.5
121.4

109
105
108

Lbs
Lbs
Lbs

63
56
61

63
50
60

61
67
63

98
120
103

98
134
105

63
60
62

62
59
61

99
98
99

149
89
128

102
86
98

7.5
3.5
11.0

9.7
3.3
13.0

Thou
Thou
Thou

3.3
1.7
5.0

4.8
1.8
6.5

4.9
1.5
6.4

129
94
118

* Revised.
1
Excludes slaughter on farms.
2
Accumulated totals and percentages based on unrounded data.
3
Totals may not equal sum of the parts due to rounding.

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

2

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Commercial Red Meat Production: By State and United States 1
State

AL
AK
AZ
AR
CA
CO
DE-MD
FL
GA
HI
ID
IL
IN
IA
KS
KY
LA
MI
MN
MS
MO
MT
NE
NV
N ENG 3
NJ
NM
NY
NC
ND
OH
OK
OR
PA
SC
SD
TN
TX
UT
VA
WA
WV
WI
WY
US

Feb 08 as % of 2

Feb
2007

Jan
2008

Feb
2008

Feb 2007

Million Pounds

Million Pounds

Million Pounds

Percent

Jan 2008
Percent

2.2

2.3

2.0

90

84

31.1
4.2
131.7
141.5
3.1
6.2
13.3
0.7
7.7
203.4
114.6
486.7
453.0
38.2
0.8
36.8
188.1
22.2
108.8
1.5
537.0
0.1
0.8
4.3
0.5
2.4
181.0
2.5
21.5
80.5
4.2
96.9
19.5
70.5
16.0
331.9
34.2
34.8
70.7
0.4
109.3
0.6

34.0
5.5
148.4
175.5
3.4
8.2
14.2
0.9
16.3
274.4
158.6
655.1
484.1
55.0
0.6
42.5
232.4
1.4
157.9
1.4
618.1
0.1
1.1
4.2
0.4
3.0
221.7
2.7
26.4
98.5
5.1
113.6
23.5
105.8
20.7
*403.7
42.5
48.9
76.3
0.7
126.5
0.6

35.4
5.2
134.4
171.4
3.0
6.7
12.5
0.8
18.2
245.0
134.9
571.6
406.9
45.0
0.6
41.5
203.2
1.3
141.5
1.3
568.0
0.1
0.9
3.9
0.4
2.5
212.8
2.3
24.6
89.8
4.4
102.0
21.9
84.1
16.8
383.1
43.5
44.4
66.0
0.5
113.0
0.5

114
122
102
121
94
109
94
109
235
120
118
117
90
118
81
113
108
6
130
87
106
152
105
91
82
105
118
92
114
112
106
105
113
119
104
115
127
128
93
105
103
90

104
95
91
98
88
82
88
86
112
89
85
87
84
82
109
98
87
94
90
92
92
106
77
93
109
83
96
86
93
91
87
90
93
79
81
95
102
91
86
71
89
92

3,615.4

4,415.9

3,967.6

110

90

* Revised.
1
Includes total beef, veal, pork, lamb, and mutton.
2
Percentages based on unrounded data.
3
N ENG includes CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, and VT.

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

3

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

State

Commercial Cattle Slaughter: By State and United States,
February 2007 and 2008 1
Number Slaughtered
Total Live Weight
2007

2008

1,000 Head

AL
AK
AZ
AR
CA
CO
DE-MD
FL
GA
HI
ID
IL
IN
IA
KS
KY
LA
MI
MN
MS
MO
MT
NE
NV
N ENG 2
NJ
NM
NY
NC
ND
OH
OK
OR
PA
SC
SD
TN
TX
UT
VA
WA
WV
WI
WY
US
1
2
3

3

2007

1,000 Head

2008

1,000 Pounds

1,000 Pounds

Average Live Weight
2007

2008

Pounds

Pounds

0.3

0.5

343

439

1,086

937

38.5
0.8
126.5
165.3
3.4

44.9
0.9
128.8
201.8
3.2

53,598
851
168,380
215,134
4,572

63,151
964
163,119
262,218
4,226

1,398
1,041
1,356
1,302
1,341

1,413
1,030
1,288
1,300
1,315

25.2
0.8
8.1

0.8
23.3

23,132
867
10,682

943
29,032

926
1,094
1,341

1,131
1,272

2.6

3.0

2,755

3,199

1,048

1,052

576.7
1.5
0.7
42.2
61.9
0.1
6.9
1.8
529.6
0.1
0.9
2.0
0.9
1.8
15.4
0.9
8.3
1.9
2.3
69.3
11.9

500.7
1.6
0.5
47.2
63.4
0.1
7.6
1.6
540.9
0.1
0.9
2.5
0.5
2.0
17.9
1.2
9.3
2.2
2.7
73.6
12.9

713,198
1,400
669
57,972
86,226
140
8,352
2,162
698,733
85
957
2,524
810
2,019
18,201
1,100
9,739
2,059
2,685
86,714
13,797

630,132
1,510
438
65,581
90,513
85
9,082
1,927
719,116
148
1,041
3,003
497
2,424
20,654
1,418
10,959
2,486
3,135
93,535
14,353

1,237
943
944
1,381
1,403
1,015
1,228
1,205
1,322
1,052
1,074
1,246
983
1,139
1,185
1,207
1,178
1,092
1,213
1,259
1,166

1,259
951
819
1,396
1,439
880
1,203
1,204
1,332
1,124
1,113
1,225
1,073
1,212
1,160
1,228
1,190
1,118
1,228
1,281
1,121

1.8
451.5
43.0
1.2
86.2
0.6
131.1
0.7

2.3
499.1
54.6
1.1
83.3
0.7
132.4
0.6

1,640
534,437
55,482
1,332
114,550
624
177,530
800

2,033
611,638
70,022
1,111
107,576
701
178,317
709

929
1,187
1,294
1,068
1,333
1,099
1,369
1,202

920
1,229
1,285
1,057
1,298
1,018
1,362
1,219

2,561.2

2,643.2

3,249,960

3,383,319

1,274

1,285

Includes slaughter under Federal inspection and other Commercial slaughter, excludes farm slaughter.
N ENG includes CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, and VT.
States with no data printed are still included in the US total, data not printed to avoid disclosing individual operations.
Accumulated totals and percentages based on unrounded data.

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

4

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

State

AL
AK
AZ
AR
CA
CO
DE-MD
FL
GA
HI
ID
IL
IN
IA
KS
KY
LA
MI
MN
MS
MO
MT
NE
NV
N ENG 2
NJ
NM
NY
NC
ND
OH
OK
OR
PA
SC
SD
TN
TX
UT
VA
WA
WV
WI
WY
US
1
2
3

3

Commercial Calf Slaughter: By State and United States,
February 2007 and 2008 1
Number Slaughtered
Total Live Weight

Average Live Weight

2007

2008

2007

2008

2007

2008

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Pounds

1,000 Pounds

Pounds

Pounds

9.7

15.6

1,297

1,769

134

115

0.2

53
43

43
20
40

336

0.1

0.2
0.1
0.1

402

268
390
450

3.7

2.6

1,560

1,092

427

428

0.1

331

22

0.3
2.0

0.3
1.6

180
868

147
630

525
425

506
399

0.1
7.6
1.5
13.0
0.1

0.2
5.5
0.7
14.2
0.1

27
3,333
133
1,553
52

67
2,289
63
1,406
57

245
440
87
123
546

333
413
87
103
486

0.1

0.1

23

27

350

350

15.0

13.9

5,618

5,558

376

401

0.1
1.7

0.1
1.8

48
1,067

31
883

455
613

397
492

66.7

69.1

20,375

18,577

308

272

Includes slaughter under Federal inspection and other Commercial slaughter, excludes farm slaughter.
N ENG includes CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, and VT.
States with no data printed are still included in the US total, data not printed to avoid disclosing individual operations.
Accumulated totals and percentages based on unrounded data.

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

5

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

State

Commercial Hog Slaughter: By State and United States,
February 2007 and 2008 1
Number Slaughtered
Total Live Weight
2008

2007

2008

2007

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Pounds

1,000 Pounds

Pounds

AL
AK
AZ
AR
CA
CO
DE-MD
FL
GA
HI
ID
IL
IN
IA
KS
KY
LA
MI
MN
MS
MO
MT
NE
NV
N ENG 2
NJ
NM
NY
NC
ND
OH
OK
OR
PA
SC
SD
TN
TX
UT
VA
WA
WV
WI
WY

7.5
0.1
0.2
12.7
204.1
0.8
1.4
6.7
11.3
1.5
12.0
711.7
564.5
2,198.4
14.1
186.9
1.6
8.9
714.4

3

US
1
2
3

Average Live Weight

2007

6.9
0.1
0.1
15.3
208.9
0.7
1.5
7.5
9.9
1.5
13.0
890.9
660.1
2,606.6

499.9
1.1
552.6

1.5
9.2
789.7
5.8
652.8
1.0
645.2

1.1
9.7
0.1
2.0
882.2
11.0
80.9
380.7
16.0
225.1

3,433
14
34
5,722
48,164
189
384
1,055
2,408
338
3,038
198,613
148,746
594,082
6,341
49,582
340
3,375
187,882

3,020
16
27
7,078
51,048
177
403
1,009
2,237
339
3,373
248,591
174,902
703,378

137,667
245
149,139

354
3,620
205,844
1,785
180,128
240
173,193

1.1
8.0
0.1
2.0
1,016.7
8.4
91.9
417.4
13.9
231.8

229
976
23
354
227,823
2,768
22,097
104,744
3,699
56,498

321.0
47.4
33.9
3.2
173.3
1.9
0.5
39.5
0.4

386.4
48.9
36.7
3.3
218.1
2.3
0.5
46.3
0.4

8,117.3

9,378.1

2008
Pounds

457
225
187
453
236
245
272
159
214
219
254
279
264
270
451
266
211
383
263

437
252
229
462
245
245
268
136
225
225
261
279
265
270

276
225
270

229
393
261
306
276
243
269

235
804
33
371
267,550
2,181
25,290
116,502
3,590
59,100

212
101
319
182
259
251
274
275
232
252

217
100
258
188
264
259
276
279
260
255

83,753
22,407
8,133
570
45,176
398
139
17,486
106

98,838
23,268
9,677
593
57,495
418
158
20,565
101

261
473
240
178
261
206
291
451
266

256
476
264
181
264
184
307
450
274

2,183,764

2,534,773

269

271

Includes slaughter under Federal inspection and other Commercial slaughter, excludes farm slaughter.
N ENG includes CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, and VT.
States with no data printed are still included in the US total, data not printed to avoid disclosing individual operations.
Accumulated totals and percentages based on unrounded data.

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

6

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

State

AL
AK
AZ
AR
CA
CO
DE-MD
FL
GA
HI
ID
IL
IN
IA
KS
KY
LA
MI
MN
MS
MO
MT
NE
NV
N ENG 2
NJ
NM
NY
NC
ND
OH
OK
OR
PA
SC
SD
TN
TX
UT
VA
WA
WV
WI
WY
US
1
2
3

3

Commercial Sheep and Lamb Slaughter: By State and United States,
February 2007 and 2008 1
Number Slaughtered
Total Live Weight
Average Live Weight
2007

2008

2007

2008

2007

2008

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Pounds

1,000 Pounds

Pounds

Pounds

0.1

104

8

87.7
2.2
0.2
0.3

90.2
2.4
0.1
0.3

13,473
220
9
41

14,014
243
6
26

154
101
56
120

156
102
59
94

0.3

0.3

34

35

123

126

1.3
32.7
0.2
0.7
0.3
12.6
0.2

1.7
32.7
0.1
0.7
0.3
15.9
0.9

146
5,001
19
85
35
1,684
22

187
5,117
13
94
31
2,159
118

112
153
108
126
101
135
118

112
157
107
126
90
136
132

0.3
0.3

0.3
0.2
0.1

38
31

36
25
16

121
111

117
113
143

0.1
1.8
7.1
0.9
2.6
0.4
0.7

6
194
575
117
209
31

1.3
8.4
1.4
2.1
0.5

1.5
3.0

0.7
0.1
2.0
3.5

1.0
0.9
2.9
2.6
0.8
0.4

141
717
201
175
46

127
111
80
131
80
85

108
85
143
82
84

111

196
285

77
6
283
356

131
96

106
101
139
101

0.2
0.9
2.8
2.6
0.9
0.6

137
71
179
358
76
59

17
73
292
366
92
79

131
79
61
137
100
145

114
78
105
140
99
139

0.5
0.1

0.8
0.1

70
15

102
15

136
150

134
145

204.7

211.4

28,708

30,111

140

143

77

Includes slaughter under Federal inspection and other Commercial slaughter, excludes farm slaughter.
N ENG includes CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, and VT.
States with no data printed are still included in the US total, data not printed to avoid disclosing individual operations.
Accumulated totals and percentages based on unrounded data.

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

7

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Item

Classification of Livestock Slaughtered Under Federal Inspection:
United States
Jan - Feb 1
Feb
Jan
Feb
Feb
Jan
2007
2008
2008
2007
2008
2007
2008

Total 1
Calves & Vealers
Hogs
Barrow & Gilts
Sows
Boars
Total 1
Sheep
Mature Sheep
Lambs & Yrlngs
Total 1

Percent of Percent of Percent of
1,000 Head 1,000 Head
Total
Total
Total

Jan - Feb 1
2007

2008

Percent of
Total

Percent of
Total

1,000
Head

1,000
Head

1,236
803
444
202
242
35

1,391
867
545
236
309
45

1,274
818
465
214
251
40

2,621
1,622
946
430
517
77

2,665
1,685
1,010
450
560
85

49.1
31.9
17.6
8.0
9.6
1.4

48.8
30.5
19.1
8.3
10.9
1.6

49.1
31.5
17.9
8.2
9.7
1.5

49.8
30.8
18.0
8.2
9.8
1.5

48.9
31.0
18.5
8.3
10.3
1.6

2,518

*2,847

2,598

5,266

5,445

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

66

70

68

139

138

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

7,757
248
35

10,128
304
42

8,992
270
35

16,712
533
76

19,119
574
78

96.5
3.1
0.4

96.7
2.9
0.4

96.7
2.9
0.4

96.5
3.1
0.4

96.7
2.9
0.4

8,040

10,474

9,297

17,321

19,771

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

8
187

9
193

8
193

17
382

18
386

4.0
96.0

4.5
95.5

4.2
95.8

4.2
95.8

4.3
95.7

194

202

201

399

403

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

1,000 Head

Class 2
Cattle
Steers
Heifers
All Cows
Dairy Cows
Other Cows
Bulls

Feb
2008

Average Dressed
Weight
Pounds

Pounds

Cattle
Steers 3
Heifers 3
All Cows 3
Bulls 3

Pounds

767
816
760
631
905

775
832
773
624
878

776
827
773
631
885

773
824
766
631
907

776
830
773
627
882

Calves & Vealers

183

159

160

188

159

Hogs
Barrow Gilts4
Sows 4
Boars 4

202
199
307
206

205
202
306
213

203
200
308
212

203
199
308
211

204
201
307
212

72
66
72

70
67
71

72
67
72

71
65
72

71
67
71

Sheep
Mature Sheep5
Lamb & Yrlngs5

Pounds

Pounds

* Revised.
1
Total and percentages based on unrounded data.
2
Species totals and classification reported by food inspectors, Inspection Operations, FSIS.
3
Included in cattle average dressed weight.
4
Included in hog average dressed weight.
5
Included in sheep average dressed weight.

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

8

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Standard
Federal
Regions

Federally Inspected Slaughter: By Region and United States,
February 2008 1
Cattle
Total 2

Steers

Heifers

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

0.8
4.4
75.6
65.3
309.6
498.4
1,092.4
269.6
174.0
107.9

0.3
1.6
30.3
1.4
136.7
264.6
576.6
133.9
88.2
40.8

US 2

2,598.0

1,274.3

All

Dairy

Other

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

0.2
0.3
9.6
0.4
40.3
153.1
448.2
116.7
11.6
37.9
818.3

Total

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

0.4
7.0
42.4
59.0
54.1
59.3

0.3
1.5
8.5
6.6
10.4
6.6

72.2
26.6

66.5
14.7

5.7
11.9

2.0
2.7

15.4

465.1

214.3

40.3

67.9

250.8
Sheep

Barrows
& Gilts

Sows

Boars

Total 2

Mature
Sheep

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

0.9
9.8
449.9
1,372.6
2,456.1
460.9
3,918.6
396.6
203.9
28.1

0.8
9.6
436.8
1,304.5
2,338.5
436.5
3,837.0
396.0
203.9
28.0

US 2

9,297.4

8,991.6

0.1
2.3
66.4
114.4
23.1
63.2
0.6

0.1
10.8
1.8
3.2
1.2
18.3

0.1
270.3

0.2
19.7
14.1
0.3
14.3
2.3

1.8
27.2
12.7
67.0
16.2
1.6

Total 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

2

Bulls

2.2
34.2
55.0
126.0
70.3
61.0

Hogs

1

Calves

Cows

35.5

Lambs &
Yearlings
1,000 Head

1.3
9.9
6.7
2.5
27.9

0.1
1.0
0.2
0.8
2.7

1.2
8.9
6.5
1.8
25.2

33.0
92.4

0.2
1.6

32.7
90.7

2.1

0.1

2.0

201.4

8.4

193.0

States included in regions are as follows: 1- CT, ME, NH, VT, MA, & RI; 2- NY & NJ; 3- DE-MD, PA, WV, & VA; 4- AL, FL,
GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, & TN; 5- IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, & WI; 6- AR, LA, NM, OK, & TX; 7- IA, KS, MO, & NE; 8- CO, MT,
ND, SD, UT, & WY; 9- AZ, CA, HI & NV; 10- AK, ID, OR, & WA.
Regions with no data printed are still included in the US and Region total, data not printed to avoid disclosing individual
operations. Totals may not add due to rounding.

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

9

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Standard
Federal
Regions

Federally Inspected Slaughter: By Region and United States,
January - February 2008 1
Cattle
Total 2

Steers

Heifers

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

1.8
9.1
162.5
140.2
649.5
1,023.4
2,327.7
545.1
359.6
226.7

0.8
3.4
66.3
2.9
271.4
531.1
1,253.7
268.8
178.7
88.0

US 2

5,445.4

2,664.9

All

Dairy

Other

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

0.4
0.6
17.5
0.9
82.6
315.7
928.3
237.0
23.3
79.0
1,685.5

Total

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

0.5
43.7
28.4
0.6
28.7
3.6
0.1

3.8
59.7
26.1
145.4
31.3
3.3

0.7
15.6
92.8
136.2
123.2
128.7

0.7
3.5
17.6
13.8
22.1
13.7

152.8
54.1

140.8
26.9

12.0
27.2

4.8
5.6

30.2

1,009.7

450.0

85.3

138.3

559.8
Sheep

Total 2

Barrows
& Gilts

Sows

Boars

Total 2

Mature
Sheep

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1,000 Head

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
US 2

2

Bulls

4.4
75.2
118.8
281.7
154.5
132.0

Hogs

1

Calves

Cows

1.9
21.8
941.7
2,835.6
5,265.6
965.0
8,345.7
901.0
432.6
60.7

1.9
21.3
912.6
2,682.3
5,015.8
913.4
8,179.3
900.0
432.4
60.4

19,771.5

19,119.3

0.3
4.5
149.4
242.5
48.8
127.4
1.0

0.2
24.5
4.0
7.4
2.8
39.0

0.2
574.2

78.0

Lambs &
Yearlings
1,000 Head

3.2
20.8
14.1
5.4
58.8

0.2
2.0
0.5
1.6
5.8

3.0
18.8
13.6
3.7
53.0

65.2
179.6

0.5
3.2

64.7
176.4

4.0

0.3

3.7

403.1

17.5

385.6

States included in regions are as follows: 1- CT, ME, NH, VT, MA, & RI; 2- NY & NJ; 3- DE-MD, PA, WV, & VA; 4- AL, FL,
GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, & TN; 5- IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, & WI; 6- AR, LA, NM, OK, & TX; 7- IA, KS, MO, & NE; 8- CO, MT,
ND, SD, UT, & WY; 9- AZ, CA, HI & NV; 10- AK, ID, OR, & WA.
Regions with no data printed are still included in the US and Region total, data not printed to avoid disclosing individual
operations. Totals may not add due to rounding.

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

10

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Federally Inspected Slaughter: Percent of Total Commercial
Slaughter by Species, United States
Feb
2007

Species

Jan
2008

Percent

Cattle
Calves
Hogs
Sheep

Percent

98.3
98.3
99.0
94.9

Jan - Feb

Feb
2008

2007

Percent

98.2
98.5
99.2
94.5

2008

Percent

98.3
98.3
99.1
95.3

Percent

98.2
98.4
99.1
95.0

98.3
98.4
99.2
94.9

U.S. Monthly Commercial
Red Meat Production
Million Pounds
4800
4600
4400
4200
4000
3800
3600
3400
3200
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May June July Aug Sept Oct
2006

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

2007

11

Nov Dec

2008

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

U.S. Monthly Commercial Slaughter
Cattle
1,000 head
3400
3200
3000
2800
2600
2400
2200
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun
2006

Jul
2007

Aug Sep

Oct

Nov Dec

2008

U.S. Monthly Commercial Slaughter
Calves
1,000 head
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
35
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May
2006

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

Jun

Jul
2007

12

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

2008

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

U.S. Monthly Commercial Slaughter
Hogs
1,000 head
11500
11000
10500
10000
9500
9000
8500
8000
7500
7000
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr May Jun
2006

Jul
2007

Aug Sep

Oct

Nov Dec

2008

U.S. Monthly Commercial Slaughter
Sheep
1,000 head
310
290
270
250
230
210
190
170
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May
2006

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

Jun

Jul
2007

13

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

2008

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

U.S. Monthly Commercial Slaughter
Average Live Weight
Cattle

Pounds
1340
1320
1300
1280
1260
1240
1220
1200

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun
2006

Jul
2007

Aug Sep

Oct

Nov Dec

2008

U.S. Monthly Commercial Slaughter
Average Live Weight
Hogs

Pounds
274
272
270
268
266
264
262
260

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May
2006

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

Jun

Jul
2007

14

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

2008

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

U.S. Monthly Federally Inspected
Average Dressed Weight
Cattle

Pounds
820
810
800
790
780
770
760
750
740
730
720
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

2006

Pounds
206

Jul
2007

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

2008

U.S. Monthly Federally Inspected
Average Dressed Weight
Hogs

204
202
200
198
196
194
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May
2006

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

Jun

Jul
2007

15

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

2008

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

U.S. Monthly Federally Inspected
Average Dressed Weight
Steers

Pounds
870
860
850
840
830
820
810
800
790
780
770
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

2006

Pounds
820

Jul
2007

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

2008

U.S. Monthly Federally Inspected
Average Dressed Weight
Heifers

800
780
760
740
720
700
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May
2006

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

Jun

Jul
2007

16

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

2008

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Pounds
204

U.S. Monthly Federally Inspected
Average Dressed Weight
Barrows and Gilts

202
200
198
196
194
192
190
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

2006

Pounds
316

Jul
2007

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

2008

U.S. Monthly Federally Inspected
Average Dressed Weight
Sows

314
312
310
308
306
304
302
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May
2006

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

Jun

Jul
2007

17

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

2008

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Reliability of Livestock Slaughter Estimates
Data Sources: Primary data for the commercial livestock slaughter estimates are obtained from electronic reports
completed by inspectors from the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), USDA, which provide daily counts
of animals slaughtered in Federally Inspected (FI) plants, in addition to total live and dressed weights. These
counts are combined with data from State-administered Non-Federally Inspected (NFI) slaughter plants to derive
total commercial slaughter estimates. More than 95 percent of the total U.S. slaughter for any species is under
Federal Inspection.
There are nearly 800 livestock slaughter plants in the U.S. operating under Federal Inspection and over 2,000
Non-Federally Inspected (State-inspected or custom-exempt) slaughter plants. Slaughter from State-inspected
Talmedge-Aiken plants is included in FI totals (see Types of Plants, page 20). To prevent duplication in reporting
between FI and NFI plants and assure all FI plants are included, certificates prepared by FSIS identifying
operating status are constantly monitored
Revision Policy: Number of head slaughtered, live weights, and dressed weights are subject to revision the
following month after the monthly release. Annual totals are published in the slaughter summary each March
which includes any revisions made to current and previous year’s published data. Revisions are generally the
result of late reports received from slaughter plants and are usually less than one-half of one percent. No revisions
will be made to the previous year’s data after the publication of the annual summary in March.
Procedures and Reliability: The livestock slaughter data is obtained electronically on a daily basis and
summarized approximately two weeks after the week of slaughter. An edit compares each plant's data with the
historical data for that plant. Data are checked for unusual values for head kill, patterns of kill, average weights,
and dressing percent, based on each plant's past operating profile. In addition, the edit provides a listing of
missing reports for follow-up contact with FSIS. Average live and dressed weights and dressing percentages by
State are compared with the previous weeks as an additional check. Fluctuations are frequently the result of plants
permanently or temporarily closing and a shift in the species reported.
The FSIS District Veterinary Medical Specialists (DVMS) are contacted by e-mail or telephone for missing or
potentially erroneous slaughter data. This assures that plants slaughtering a large number of head or several
species are accounted for each week. Any corrections FSIS makes to the slaughter data are included in the
summary.
Imputation may be necessary for incomplete reports. The imputation of live and dressed weights is based on the
current week reported data of plants of similar size and location. Imputation for live and dressed weight data for
cattle and hogs is less than 10 percent and 7 percent, respectively. The imputation for calves and sheep is more
frequent and variable. If no data is received electronically or by other means, for plants slaughtering fewer than 50
total head weekly of only one species, data are imputed. The imputation of head for any plant is based on the
historical data for that particular plant. The imputation of head slaughtered is rare but when necessary, the
imputed head kill for missing plants usually is less than 1 percent of the U.S. head kill totals.
FI data are summarized weekly and accumulated to a monthly total for this release. These weekly totals are
published by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) in Livestock, Meat, Wool Market News, Weekly
Summary, and Statistics and are also available on the NASS website. NFI data are summarized monthly only.

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

18

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Livestock slaughter estimates are based on a census of operating plants and therefore, have no sampling error.
However, they may be subject to errors such as omissions, duplications and mistakes in reporting, recording and
processing the data. These errors are minimized through rigid quality controls in the edit and summarization
process, and a careful review of all reported data for consistency and reasonableness.
No data are published when an individual plant’s data could be divulged. If not published, these data are still
included in US and region totals. A review of the data is made annually to determine the publishable data.
Types of Livestock Slaughter Plants
There are generally four types of slaughtering plants.
(1)

Federally Inspected (FI) Plants: Plants that transport meat interstate must employ federal inspectors to
assure compliance with USDA standards. Any State whose commercial plants operate entirely under
federal inspection may still have custom-exempt establishments for which NFI estimates are made.

(2)

Talmedge-Aiken (TA) Plants: Slaughter plants in which USDA is responsible for inspection. However,
federal inspection is carried out by State employees. These plants are considered to be federally
inspected.

(3)

Non-Federally Inspected (NFI) Plants: Plants which sell and transport only intrastate. State inspectors
assure compliance with individual State standards for these NFI plants. Mobile slaughtering units are
excluded and are considered farm slaughter.

(4)

Custom-Exempt Plants: Plants that do not sell meat but operate on a custom basis only are customexempt. The animals and meat are not inspected, but the facilities must meet health standards. These are
considered NFI plants and head kill is included in NFI totals.

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

19

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

Terms and Definitions Used for Livestock Slaughter Estimates
Average Live Wight: Excludes post-mortem condemnations
Commercial Production: Includes slaughter and meat production in federally inspected and other plants, but
excludes animals slaughtered on farms.
Dressed Weight: The weight of a chilled animal carcass. Beef with kidney knob in; veal with hide off; lamb and
mutton with pluck out; pork with leaf fat and kidneys out, jowls on and head off.
Dressing Percent: Usually expressed as a percentage yield of chilled carcass in relation to the weight of the live
animal on hoof. For example, a live hog that weighed 200 pounds on hoof and yielded a carcass weighing 140
pounds would have a dressing percentage of 70.
Food and Meat Inspection: Includes examination, checking, or testing of a carcass and/or meat against
established government standards and involves checking the facility for cleanliness, health of animals, or parts of
animals and quality of the meat produced.
Number of Head: Includes post-mortem condemnations.
Plant, Slaughter: An establishment where animals are killed and butchered.
Red Meat: Red meat production is the carcass weight after slaughter excluding condemnation and is comprised
of beef, veal, pork, and lamb and mutton. The FI red meat production is equal to the total carcass weight after
slaughter. The NFI meat production formula is (NFI head kill) X (live weight) X (FI dressing percentage) = NFI
red meat production.
Slaughter: Killing and butchering of animals primarily for food.
Slaughter, Farm: Animals slaughtered on farms primarily for home consumption. Excludes custom slaughter
for farmers at commercial establishments, but includes mobile slaughtering on farms. These estimates appear only
in the annual slaughter release.
Total Live Weight: Excludes post-mortem condemnations.
Wholesome Meat Act: Legislation that specifies that all meat produced for sale in the U.S. must be inspected.
Meat that is transported interstate must be inspected in compliance with Federal (USDA) Standards.
Information Contacts
Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Livestock Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service
to contact for additional information.
Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch ..................................................................................... (202) 720-3570
Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........................................................................................ (202) 690-2424
Bruce Boess – Hogs and Pigs ....................................................................................... (202) 720-3106
Jim Collom – Dairy Products ....................................................................................... (202) 690-3236
Joe Gaynor – Dairy Products Prices.............................................................................. (202) 690-2168
Jason Hardegree – Milk Production and Milk Cows ..................................................... (202) 720-3278
Benita Hodge – Livestock Slaughter............................................................................. (515) 284-4340
Scott Hollis – Sheep and Goats..................................................................................... (202) 690-2424
Mike Miller – Cattle, Cattle on Feed............................................................................. (202) 720-3040

Livestock Slaughter
March 2008

20

Agricultural Statistics Board
NASS, USDA

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