Livestock Slaughter ISSN: 0499-0544 Released March 23, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). February Red Meat Production Up 3 Percent from 2011 Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.91 billion pounds in February, up 3 percent from the 3.81 billion pounds produced in February 2011. Beef production, at 2.01 billion pounds, was 1 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.56 million head, down 2 percent from February 2011. The average live weight was up 21 pounds from the previous year, at 1,307 pounds. Veal production totaled 9.8 million pounds, 6 percent below February a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 60,200 head, down 13 percent from February 2011. The average live weight was up 12 pounds from last year, at 276 pounds. Pork production totaled 1.88 billion pounds, up 6 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.04 million head, up 6 percent from February 2011. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 278 pounds. Lamb and mutton production, at 12.3 million pounds, was up 13 percent from February 2011. Sheep slaughter totaled 165,400 head, 7 percent above last year. The average live weight was 149 pounds, up 8 pounds from February a year ago. January to February 2012 commercial red meat production was 8.04 billion pounds, up 2 percent from 2011. Accumulated beef production was down slightly from last year, veal was down 5 percent, pork was up 6 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 10 percent. February 2011 contained 20 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays. February 2012 contained 21 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays. This page intentionally left blank. Contents Commercial Red Meat Production - United States................................4 Federally Inspected Red Meat Production - United States.......................4 Livestock Slaughter, Number of Head and Average Live Weight - United States...5 Commercial Red Meat Production - States and United States.....................6 Commercial Cattle Slaughter - States and United States: February 2011 and 2012......................................................................7 Commercial Calf Slaughter - States and United States: February 2011 and 2012......................................................................8 Commercial Hog Slaughter - States and United States: February 2011 and 2012...9 Commercial Sheep and Lamb Slaughter - States and United States: February 2011 and 2012.....................................................................10 Livestock Slaughtered Under Federal Inspection, By Class - United States.....11 Federally Inspected Slaughter, Average Dressed Weight, By Class - United States................................................................11 Federally Inspected Slaughter - Regions and United States: February 2012.....12 Federally Inspected Slaughter - Regions and United States: January to February 2012................................................................13 Federally Inspected Slaughter, Percent of Total Commercial Slaughter - United States................................................................13 Statistical Methodology......................................................14 Terms and Definitions Used for Livestock Slaughter Estimates.................15 Information Contacts.........................................................16 Commercial Red Meat Production - United States [Totals, accumulated totals and percentages based on unrounded data] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : :February 2012 as % of : January to February : February : January : February :---------------------------------------------------- Type : 2011 : 2012 : 2012 : February : January : : :2012 as % : : : : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 : of 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------- million pounds ------ --- percent --- million pounds percent : Beef .............: 2,020.4 2,113.8 2,009.0 99 95 4,143.4 4,122.8 100 Veal .............: 10.5 10.4 9.8 94 94 21.3 20.2 95 Pork .............: 1,768.1 1,987.0 1,882.9 106 95 3,664.3 3,869.9 106 Lamb and mutton ..: 10.9 12.1 12.3 113 102 22.1 24.4 110 : Total red meat ...: 3,810.0 4,123.4 3,914.0 103 95 7,851.2 8,037.3 102 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Federally Inspected Red Meat Production - United States [Totals, accumulated totals and percentages based on unrounded data] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : :February 2012 as % of : January to February : February : January : February :---------------------------------------------------- Type : 2011 : 2012 : 2012 : February : January : : :2012 as % : : : : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 : of 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------- million pounds ------ --- percent --- million pounds percent : Beef .............: 1,994.1 2,081.7 1,981.2 99 95 4,087.2 4,062.9 99 Veal .............: 10.2 10.2 9.6 94 94 20.8 19.8 95 Pork .............: 1,756.1 1,974.1 1,870.1 106 95 3,640.4 3,844.3 106 Lamb and mutton ..: 10.5 11.6 11.8 113 102 21.2 23.4 111 : Total red meat ...: 3,771.0 4,077.6 3,872.7 103 95 7,769.5 7,950.3 102 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Livestock Slaughter, Number of Head and Average Live Weight - United States [Totals, accumulated totals and percentages based on unrounded data] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : February : January to February : February : January : February :2012 as % :-------------------------------- Species : 2011 : 2012 : 2012 : of 2011 : : :2012 as % : : : : : 2011 : 2012 : of 2011 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent percent : Cattle : Number of head : Federally inspected ...1,000: 2,580.1 2,665.5 2,514.7 97 5,267.3 5,180.2 98 Other .................1,000: 41.2 50.2 43.0 104 88.0 93.2 106 Commercial ............1,000: 2,621.3 2,715.7 2,557.7 98 5,355.3 5,273.4 98 Live weight per head : Federally inspected ..pounds: 1,289 1,303 1,310 102 1,296 1,307 101 Other ................pounds: 1,131 1,135 1,141 101 1,131 1,138 101 Commercial ...........pounds: 1,286 1,300 1,307 102 1,294 1,304 101 : Calves : Number of head : Federally inspected ...1,000: 67.9 66.6 59.3 87 138.7 125.9 91 Other .................1,000: 0.9 1.1 0.9 95 2.0 2.0 99 Commercial ............1,000: 68.8 67.7 60.2 87 140.7 127.9 91 Live weight per head : Federally inspected ..pounds: 262 260 274 104 261 266 102 Other ................pounds: 427 426 417 98 436 422 97 Commercial ...........pounds: 264 262 276 104 263 269 102 : Hogs : Number of head : Federally inspected ...1,000: 8,439.9 9,466.8 8,974.8 106 17,476.1 18,441.6 106 Other .................1,000: 66.0 70.9 69.7 106 134.2 140.6 105 Commercial ............1,000: 8,506.0 9,537.7 9,044.5 106 17,610.3 18,582.2 106 Live weight per head : Federally inspected ..pounds: 278 279 278 100 278 278 100 Other ................pounds: 252 252 253 100 247 252 102 Commercial ...........pounds: 277 278 278 100 278 278 100 : Sheep and lambs : Number of head : Federally inspected ...1,000: 145.5 153.8 154.6 106 296.0 308.3 104 Other .................1,000: 9.5 11.0 10.8 114 20.5 21.8 107 Commercial ............1,000: 155.0 164.8 165.4 107 316.4 330.2 104 Live weight per head : Federally inspected ..pounds: 144 151 153 106 143 152 106 Other ................pounds: 95 98 98 104 97 98 101 Commercial ...........pounds: 141 147 149 106 140 148 106 : Goats : Number of head : Federally inspected ...1,000: 37.7 43.3 38.4 102 78.5 81.7 104 Other .................1,000: 12.3 13.7 14.1 115 25.8 27.9 108 Commercial ............1,000: 50.1 57.0 52.6 105 104.3 109.6 105 Live weight per head : Federally inspected ..pounds: 64 63 62 98 63 63 99 Other ................pounds: 70 66 62 88 68 64 94 Commercial ...........pounds: 65 64 62 95 64 63 98 : Bison : Number of head : Federally inspected ...1,000: 3.4 3.9 3.4 98 7.3 7.2 100 Other .................1,000: 0.8 0.9 0.8 105 1.7 1.7 104 Commercial ............1,000: 4.2 4.8 4.2 99 8.9 9.0 101 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commercial Red Meat Production - States and United States [Includes total beef, veal, pork, lamb, and mutton. Totals and percentages based on unrounded data] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : February : January : February :February 2012 as : 2011 : 2012 : 2012 : % of 2011 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----------- million pounds ---------- percent : Alabama ...............: 1.7 1.4 1.4 83 Alaska ................: - - - - Arizona ...............: 34.8 36.1 30.7 88 Arkansas ..............: 3.2 4.0 3.5 110 California ............: 139.9 141.5 136.6 98 Colorado ..............: 168.9 181.4 175.0 104 Delaware-Maryland .....: 2.8 2.9 2.7 96 Florida ...............: 8.8 10.2 8.0 90 Georgia ...............: 10.7 11.6 11.3 105 Hawaii ................: 0.9 0.8 0.9 101 : Idaho .................: 12.9 3.5 3.3 26 Illinois ..............: 199.3 247.6 234.5 118 Indiana ...............: 136.1 147.0 142.5 105 Iowa ..................: 516.9 571.5 532.1 103 Kansas ................: 410.3 420.2 398.1 97 Kentucky ..............: 43.9 47.9 46.6 106 Louisiana .............: 0.5 0.5 0.5 100 Michigan ..............: 37.2 39.2 40.5 109 Minnesota .............: 210.9 240.4 226.7 108 Mississippi ...........: 2.2 2.3 2.5 114 : Missouri ..............: 137.2 151.5 145.2 106 Montana ...............: 0.8 0.8 0.7 96 Nebraska ..............: 549.3 593.7 572.4 104 Nevada ................: 0.1 0.1 0.1 117 New England 1/ ........: 1.1 1.4 1.2 111 New Jersey ............: 4.2 4.4 4.1 97 New Mexico ............: 0.3 0.4 0.3 80 New York ..............: 2.3 2.8 2.4 102 North Carolina ........: 196.7 209.5 204.2 104 North Dakota ..........: 3.4 2.9 2.8 82 : Ohio ..................: 21.9 23.9 22.7 104 Oklahoma ..............: 97.4 103.3 93.6 96 Oregon ................: 4.8 5.8 5.6 118 Pennsylvania ..........: 98.4 107.8 105.0 107 South Carolina ........: 20.2 21.0 19.1 95 South Dakota ..........: 85.7 90.5 81.1 95 Tennessee .............: 17.2 19.1 17.4 102 Texas .................: 386.9 411.5 389.3 101 Utah ..................: 35.7 38.2 41.1 115 Virginia ..............: 34.0 41.4 37.2 109 : Washington ............: 64.0 71.0 68.1 106 West Virginia .........: 0.5 0.8 0.5 98 Wisconsin .............: 105.2 111.0 102.1 97 Wyoming ...............: 0.5 0.6 0.5 121 : United States .........: 3,810.0 4,123.4 3,914.0 103 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. 1/ New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Commercial Cattle Slaughter - States and United States: February 2011 and 2012 [Data may not add to totals due to rounding] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number slaughtered : Total live weight : Average live weight State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 head --- --- 1,000 pounds --- ---- pounds ---- : Alabama ..........: 0.5 0.4 518 352 950 941 Alaska ...........: - - - - - - Arizona ..........: 47.1 42.7 60,779 55,007 1,294 1,292 Arkansas .........: 0.7 0.8 629 740 952 947 California .......: 145.1 136.1 183,539 175,793 1,288 1,301 Colorado .........: 196.6 195.8 259,364 264,946 1,320 1,354 Delaware-Maryland : 2.9 2.9 3,804 3,698 1,296 1,294 Florida ..........: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) Georgia ..........: 19.8 19.9 19,680 20,267 998 1,021 Hawaii ...........: 1.1 1.1 1,191 1,242 1,121 1,151 : Idaho ............: 17.1 2.2 21,132 2,303 1,259 1,114 Illinois .........: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) Indiana ..........: 3.0 3.0 3,194 3,203 1,057 1,057 Iowa .............: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) Kansas ...........: 495.0 476.3 634,786 616,173 1,283 1,294 Kentucky .........: 1.5 1.5 1,437 1,547 982 1,004 Louisiana ........: 0.4 0.5 369 377 839 773 Michigan .........: 43.7 47.1 59,515 65,361 1,375 1,394 Minnesota ........: 63.1 62.5 89,997 91,401 1,433 1,469 Mississippi ......: 0.2 0.1 140 71 723 731 : Missouri .........: 6.7 4.9 8,150 5,633 1,225 1,150 Montana ..........: 0.9 0.9 1,112 1,052 1,219 1,199 Nebraska .........: 530.7 518.2 702,940 707,841 1,326 1,367 Nevada ...........: 0.1 0.1 102 123 1,051 990 New England 1/ ...: 1.3 1.4 1,289 1,440 1,028 1,037 New Jersey .......: 3.2 3.1 3,566 3,545 1,132 1,136 New Mexico .......: 0.5 0.3 535 329 1,257 1,228 New York .........: 2.4 2.4 2,731 2,694 1,172 1,150 North Carolina ...: 18.0 16.0 20,869 18,595 1,164 1,162 North Dakota .....: 2.9 3.5 3,815 4,610 1,340 1,338 : Ohio .............: 8.9 9.5 10,497 11,152 1,195 1,174 Oklahoma .........: 2.2 1.9 2,201 1,925 1,018 990 Oregon ...........: 3.4 4.4 4,169 5,332 1,251 1,219 Pennsylvania .....: 75.0 82.8 91,508 101,724 1,232 1,233 South Carolina ...: 15.0 11.6 16,817 13,366 1,136 1,166 South Dakota .....: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) Tennessee ........: 4.0 4.5 3,333 3,710 848 850 Texas ............: 507.8 506.6 623,488 628,049 1,231 1,243 Utah .............: 44.1 48.0 57,924 66,405 1,316 1,386 Virginia .........: 1.3 1.2 1,478 1,284 1,127 1,076 : Washington .......: 79.8 83.4 104,629 111,418 1,318 1,341 West Virginia ....: 0.7 0.7 703 711 1,022 993 Wisconsin ........: 128.9 123.7 170,744 164,211 1,339 1,335 Wyoming ..........: 0.6 0.7 681 831 1,169 1,269 : United States ....: 2,621.3 2,557.7 3,358,633 3,335,912 1,286 1,307 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Commercial Calf Slaughter - States and United States: February 2011 and 2012 [Data may not add to totals due to rounding] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number slaughtered : Total live weight : Average live weight State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -- 1,000 head -- -- 1,000 pounds -- --- pounds --- : Alabama ..........: - - - - - - Alaska ...........: (D) - (D) - (D) - Arizona ..........: - - - - - - Arkansas .........: - - - - - - California .......: 16.6 14.6 1,706 1,539 104 106 Colorado .........: (D) - (D) - (D) - Delaware-Maryland : 0.3 0.3 66 78 265 259 Florida ..........: (D) 0.1 (D) 29 (D) 443 Georgia ..........: - 0.1 - 42 - 800 Hawaii ...........: - - - - - - : Idaho ............: (D) - (D) - (D) - Illinois .........: 1.3 1.4 560 595 427 434 Indiana ..........: (D) 0.4 (D) 102 (D) 235 Iowa .............: - - - - - - Kansas ...........: - - - - - - Kentucky .........: 0.1 0.1 41 30 600 442 Louisiana ........: 0.3 0.3 180 149 541 520 Michigan .........: 1.5 1.4 636 604 414 418 Minnesota ........: - - - - - - Mississippi ......: - - - - - - : Missouri .........: - - - - - - Montana ..........: - - - - - - Nebraska .........: - - - - - - Nevada ...........: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) New England 1/ ...: 0.6 0.7 79 96 136 144 New Jersey .......: 6.4 6.0 2,661 2,443 414 410 New Mexico .......: - - - - - - New York .........: 9.0 7.0 855 731 102 105 North Carolina ...: 0.1 0.1 76 29 509 470 North Dakota .....: (D) - (D) - (D) - : Ohio .............: 10.0 7.9 2,116 1,819 233 234 Oklahoma .........: - - - - - - Oregon ...........: (D) - (D) - (D) - Pennsylvania .....: 8.8 8.3 3,697 3,559 420 428 South Carolina ...: - - - - - - South Dakota .....: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) Tennessee ........: 0.1 0.1 31 27 446 543 Texas ............: 1.8 1.1 935 719 534 676 Utah .............: - - - - - - Virginia .........: - - - - - - : Washington .......: 2.8 2.0 215 135 77 67 West Virginia ....: (D) - (D) - (D) - Wisconsin ........: 8.3 8.3 3,647 3,718 443 446 Wyoming ..........: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) : United States ....: 68.8 60.2 17,715 16,525 264 276 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Commercial Hog Slaughter - States and United States: February 2011 and 2012 [Data may not add to totals due to rounding] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number slaughtered : Total live weight : Average live weight State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 head --- --- 1,000 pounds --- --- pounds --- : Alabama ..........: 6.0 4.9 2,559 2,095 429 426 Alaska ...........: (D) - (D) - (D) - Arizona ..........: 0.1 0.1 18 25 261 262 Arkansas .........: 9.4 10.3 4,335 4,700 463 457 California .......: 191.4 189.9 46,684 46,871 244 247 Colorado .........: 0.6 0.8 165 185 261 238 Delaware-Maryland : 1.7 1.4 447 389 266 270 Florida ..........: 5.3 4.1 691 643 132 157 Georgia ..........: 5.6 6.5 1,419 1,609 255 246 Hawaii ...........: 1.2 1.1 293 259 252 241 : Idaho ............: 9.1 10.9 2,305 2,807 255 258 Illinois .........: 677.1 858.4 190,900 242,115 282 282 Indiana ..........: 649.6 686.2 176,758 185,924 272 271 Iowa .............: 2,294.0 2,370.9 637,673 661,240 278 279 Kansas ...........: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) Kentucky .........: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) Louisiana ........: 1.0 1.0 184 195 189 199 Michigan .........: 8.6 10.3 3,412 4,084 397 397 Minnesota ........: 799.7 878.0 215,790 237,881 270 271 Mississippi ......: 9.0 10.1 2,982 3,471 330 343 : Missouri .........: 619.2 667.4 175,735 188,400 284 282 Montana ..........: 0.7 0.7 165 175 246 258 Nebraska .........: 580.9 659.3 159,430 182,019 275 276 Nevada ...........: - - - - - - New England 1/ ...: 1.3 1.5 326 362 245 237 New Jersey .......: 6.8 7.2 705 753 104 105 New Mexico .......: - 0.1 - 24 - 223 New York .........: 1.7 2.0 308 423 184 210 North Carolina ...: 914.6 942.9 246,657 258,450 270 274 North Dakota .....: 7.3 0.3 1,861 100 255 311 : Ohio .............: 73.9 80.0 20,317 21,208 276 265 Oklahoma .........: 443.3 436.4 125,632 122,183 283 280 Oregon ...........: 13.3 14.2 3,366 3,650 254 257 Pennsylvania .....: 216.1 221.8 56,794 57,623 263 260 South Carolina ...: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) South Dakota .....: 388.5 358.5 104,082 97,366 268 272 Tennessee ........: 48.6 50.1 22,782 23,139 469 462 Texas ............: 34.6 32.0 9,683 10,096 280 317 Utah .............: 3.7 4.7 539 676 145 144 Virginia .........: 161.2 177.5 43,557 48,064 270 271 : Washington .......: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) West Virginia ....: 0.4 0.5 102 133 258 261 Wisconsin ........: 39.8 42.7 18,181 19,382 459 455 Wyoming ..........: 0.2 0.2 42 61 214 264 : United States ....: 8,506.0 9,044.5 2,357,796 2,514,623 277 278 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Commercial Sheep and Lamb Slaughter - States and United States: February 2011 and 2012 [Data may not add to totals due to rounding] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Number slaughtered : Total live weight : Average live weight State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 head -- -- 1,000 pounds -- --- pounds --- : Alabama ..........: - - - - - - Alaska ...........: - - - - - - Arizona ..........: 0.1 0.2 20 29 132 144 Arkansas .........: - 0.1 - 5 - 93 California .......: 19.0 23.8 2,653 3,459 139 145 Colorado .........: 67.6 82.9 10,801 14,144 160 171 Delaware-Maryland : 3.1 2.7 307 272 100 102 Florida ..........: 0.1 0.1 8 9 59 72 Georgia ..........: 0.1 0.3 8 22 70 84 Hawaii ...........: - 0.1 - 5 - 100 : Idaho ............: 0.1 0.1 17 19 135 133 Illinois .........: 8.5 11.3 1,260 1,812 149 160 Indiana ..........: 2.1 2.5 238 269 111 109 Iowa .............: 11.2 0.1 1,658 21 149 152 Kansas ...........: 0.1 0.2 12 17 98 93 Kentucky .........: 0.8 0.7 101 95 131 130 Louisiana ........: 0.3 0.3 18 20 69 66 Michigan .........: 14.0 10.3 1,865 1,438 134 139 Minnesota ........: 1.1 0.2 153 29 142 127 Mississippi ......: (D) 0.2 (D) 13 (D) 62 : Missouri .........: 0.2 0.2 28 32 120 132 Montana ..........: 0.1 0.2 14 19 95 114 Nebraska .........: 0.1 - 6 - 123 - Nevada ...........: - - - - - - New England 1/ ...: 1.5 1.6 144 153 93 96 New Jersey .......: 7.3 7.2 636 615 87 86 New Mexico .......: 0.8 0.9 125 139 152 153 New York .........: 2.1 2.9 173 271 82 93 North Carolina ...: 0.9 0.8 67 61 77 75 North Dakota .....: - - - - - - : Ohio .............: 0.5 0.6 56 63 109 109 Oklahoma .........: - 0.1 - 8 - 104 Oregon ...........: 1.6 1.8 230 278 143 151 Pennsylvania .....: 1.9 2.9 191 296 99 101 South Carolina ...: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) South Dakota .....: 0.2 0.2 21 23 130 122 Tennessee ........: 0.5 0.6 42 46 90 82 Texas ............: 3.9 4.6 261 331 68 72 Utah .............: 2.1 2.3 314 317 147 141 Virginia .........: 0.7 0.4 63 35 95 94 : Washington .......: 0.5 0.6 79 113 158 180 West Virginia ....: (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) (D) Wisconsin ........: 0.5 0.5 64 77 142 142 Wyoming ..........: 0.1 - 8 - 141 - : United States ....: 155.0 165.4 21,831 24,683 141 149 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ New England includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Livestock Slaughtered Under Federal Inspection, By Class - United States [Data may not add to totals due to rounding] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : : : : January to February : : : : January to February Class : February : January : February :-----------------------: February : January : February :----------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : -------------------- 1,000 head ------------------- ----------------- percent of total ---------------- : Cattle : Steers ...........: 1,223 1,285 1,185 2,505 2,470 47.4 48.2 47.1 47.5 47.7 Heifers ..........: 818 766 781 1,627 1,547 31.7 28.7 31.1 30.9 29.9 All cows .........: 497 572 508 1,051 1,080 19.3 21.5 20.2 19.9 20.9 Dairy cows .......: 249 264 261 513 525 9.6 9.9 10.4 9.7 10.1 Other cows .......: 248 308 247 538 555 9.6 11.6 9.8 10.2 10.7 Bulls ............: 42 43 40 85 83 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 : Total ............: 2,580 2,665 2,515 5,267 5,180 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 : Calves and : vealers ...... : 68 67 59 139 126 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 : Hogs : Barrows and : gilts ..........: 8,194 9,196 8,712 16,966 17,908 97.1 97.1 97.1 97.1 97.1 Sows .............: 220 245 235 459 479 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 Boars ............: 26 26 28 52 54 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 : Total ............: 8,440 9,467 8,975 17,476 18,442 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 : Sheep : Mature : sheep ..........: 8 8 8 18 17 5.6 5.5 5.5 5.9 5.5 Lambs and : yearlings ......: 137 145 146 278 291 94.4 94.5 94.5 94.1 94.5 : Total ............: 146 154 155 296 308 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Federally Inspected Slaughter, Average Dressed Weight, By Class - United States [Data may not add to totals due to rounding] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : January to February Class : February : January : February :----------------------- : 2011 : 2012 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : pounds : Cattle ............... : 776 783 790 779 786 Steers 1/ ...............: 835 853 855 842 854 Heifers 1/ ..............: 778 792 795 782 793 All cows 1/ .............: 616 605 622 615 613 Bulls 1/ ................: 869 860 877 865 868 : Calves and vealers ... : 155 154 163 154 158 : Hogs ................. : 208 209 208 208 209 Barrows and gilts 2/ ....: 206 206 206 206 206 Sows 2/ .................: 308 305 307 307 306 Boars 2/ ................: 208 208 209 210 209 : Sheep ................ : 72 75 77 72 76 Mature sheep 3/ .........: 70 63 65 69 64 Lambs and yearlings 3/ ..: 72 76 77 72 77 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Included in cattle average dressed weight. 2/ Included in hog average dressed weight. 3/ Included in sheep average dressed weight. Federally Inspected Slaughter - Regions and United States: February 2012 [Data may not add to totals due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Cattle : Calves Standard :----------------------------------------------------------------------- federal : : : : Cows : : regions 1/ : Total : Steers :Heifers :--------------------------: Bulls : Total : : : : All : Dairy : Other : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : 1 ............: 1.2 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.7 2 ............: 5.4 1.6 0.6 2.7 2.4 0.3 0.4 13.0 3 ............: 84.4 31.9 3.1 47.6 38.1 9.5 1.8 8.6 4 ............: 64.6 2.2 1.1 52.0 14.8 37.2 9.3 0.2 5 ............: 293.4 116.9 32.2 136.0 77.5 58.5 8.3 19.3 6 ............: 504.9 247.4 156.8 92.0 30.6 61.5 8.7 1.1 7 ............:1,035.6 536.4 439.2 (D) (D) (D) (D) - 8 ............: 256.8 130.4 107.6 (D) (D) (D) (D) - 9 ............: 179.4 73.1 14.9 88.0 74.8 13.3 3.4 14.4 10 ...........: 89.0 44.5 25.6 18.0 14.8 3.2 0.9 2.0 : United States :2,514.7 1,184.9 781.2 508.5 261.1 247.3 40.1 59.3 :---------------------------------------------------------------------- : Hogs : Sheep :---------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total : Barrows : : : Total : Mature :Lambs and : :and gilts: Sows : Boars : : sheep :yearlings :---------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : 1 ............: 1.3 1.2 - - 1.5 0.1 1.5 2 ............: 9.1 8.8 0.1 0.1 9.6 1.6 7.9 3 ............: 399.1 398.0 (D) (D) 6.4 0.4 6.0 4 ............: 1,280.4 1,212.9 (D) (D) 2.8 0.7 2.0 5 ............: 2,528.9 2,419.5 104.4 5.1 23.2 2.2 21.0 6 ............: 471.7 455.9 15.2 0.5 1.5 0.8 0.7 7 ............: 3,710.4 3,641.8 50.1 18.5 0.4 - 0.4 8 ............: 362.8 362.7 0.1 - 85.0 2.2 82.7 9 ............: 185.3 185.2 0.1 - 22.4 0.3 22.1 10 ...........: 25.9 25.8 - - 1.9 0.1 1.7 : United States : 8,974.8 8,711.9 234.8 28.2 154.6 8.5 146.1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ States included in regions are as follows: 1 - Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont; 2 - New Jersey, New York; 3 - Delaware-Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia; 4 - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee; 5 - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin; 6 - Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas; 7 - Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska; 8- Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming; 9 - Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada; 10 - Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington. Federally Inspected Slaughter - Regions and United States: January to February 2012 [Data may not add to totals due to rounding] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Cattle : Calves Standard :----------------------------------------------------------------------- federal : : : : Cows : : regions 1/ : Total : Steers :Heifers :--------------------------: Bulls : Total : : : : All : Dairy : Other : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : 1 ............: 2.6 1.1 0.6 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.4 1.2 2 ............: 11.4 3.4 1.2 5.9 5.0 0.9 0.9 27.7 3 ............: 171.1 58.9 9.0 99.4 79.4 20.0 3.8 18.0 4 ............: 138.0 4.5 2.3 112.5 31.3 81.2 18.8 0.5 5 ............: 616.3 244.3 65.7 290.0 157.8 132.2 16.2 40.8 6 ............:1,053.5 506.9 319.4 208.3 62.4 145.9 19.0 2.9 7 ............:2,121.2 1,119.9 872.2 (D) (D) (D) (D) 0.1 8 ............: 516.7 281.4 195.9 (D) (D) (D) (D) - 9 ............: 367.7 156.6 29.7 174.7 144.8 29.8 6.8 30.2 10 ...........: 181.8 92.8 51.0 36.1 28.3 7.8 1.9 4.4 : United States :5,180.2 2,469.7 1,547.0 1,080.4 525.0 555.4 83.1 125.9 :---------------------------------------------------------------------- : Hogs : Sheep :---------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total : Barrows : : : Total : Mature :Lambs and : :and gilts : Sows : Boars : : sheep :yearlings :---------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 head : 1 ............: 2.6 2.5 0.1 0.1 3.6 0.2 3.3 2 ............: 23.3 22.7 0.3 0.3 19.1 3.2 15.9 3 ............: 831.6 829.6 (D) (D) 13.3 1.0 12.3 4 ............: 2,599.9 2,458.3 (D) (D) 5.6 1.5 4.1 5 ............: 5,153.4 4,932.1 211.4 9.9 47.1 4.6 42.4 6 ............: 986.5 955.2 30.3 1.0 2.9 1.3 1.5 7 ............: 7,628.6 7,492.2 101.1 35.3 0.8 - 0.7 8 ............: 769.8 769.5 0.3 - 165.9 4.1 161.8 9 ............: 392.6 392.4 0.1 - 46.5 0.7 45.8 10 ...........: 53.3 53.2 0.1 - 3.8 0.3 3.5 : United States : 18,441.6 17,907.8 479.4 54.4 308.3 16.9 291.4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations. 1/ States included in regions are as follows: 1 - Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont; 2 - New Jersey, New York; 3 - Delaware-Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia; 4 - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee; 5 - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin; 6 - Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas; 7 - Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska; 8 - Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming; 9 - Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada; 10 - Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington. Federally Inspected Slaughter, Percent of Total Commercial Slaughter - United States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : January to February Species : February : January : February :------------------------ : 2011 : 2012 : 2012 : 2011 : 2012 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Cattle .......: 98.4 98.2 98.3 98.4 98.2 Calves .......: 98.6 98.3 98.5 98.6 98.4 Hogs .........: 99.2 99.3 99.2 99.2 99.2 Sheep ........: 93.9 93.3 93.5 93.5 93.4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Statistical Methodology Data Sources: Primary data for the Livestock Slaughter publication 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. There are nearly 800 livestock slaughter plants in the United States operating under Federal Inspection and over 1,900 Non-Federally Inspected (State-inspected or custom-exempt) slaughter plants. Slaughter from State- inspected Talmedge-Aiken plants is included in FI totals (see Terms and Definitions, page 15). 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 April 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 April. Procedures and Reliability: The livestock slaughter data is obtained electronically on a daily basis and summarized approximately two weeks after the week of slaughter. A computer program 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 computer program 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. Computer 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 United States 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 are also available on the NASS website. NFI data are summarized monthly only. Livestock slaughter estimates are based on a census of operating plants and therefore, have no sampling error. However, they may be subject to non- sampling errors such as omissions, duplications and mistakes in reporting, recording and processing the data. These errors are minimized through rigid quality controls in the computer edit program 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, as indicated with a (D), these data are still included in United States and region totals. A review of the data is made annually to determine the publishable data. Terms and Definitions Used for Livestock Slaughter Estimates Average Live Weight: The weight of the whole animal, before slaughter. Excludes post-mortem condemnations. Commercial Production: Includes slaughter and meat production in federally inspected and other plants, but excludes animals slaughtered on farms. Based on packers' dressed weights. Custom-Exempt Plants: Plants that do not sell meat but operate on a custom basis only are custom-exempt. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Total Live Weight: The total weight of live animals, before slaughter. Excludes post-mortem condemnations. Wholesome Meat Act: Legislation that specifies that all meat produced for sale in the United States 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. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@nass.usda.gov Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch ........... (202) 720-3570 Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section ........... (202) 690-2424 Lorie Warren - Dairy Products, Sheep ......... (202) 690-3236 Travis Averill - Cattle, Cattle on Feed ...... (202) 720-3040 Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter ...... (515) 284-4340 Everett Olbert - Dairy Products Prices ....... (202) 720-4751 Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows .. (202) 720-3278 Doug Bounds - Hogs and Pigs, Goats ........... 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