According to USDA, U.S. commercial red meat production totaled 4.00 billion pounds in May ’16, finishing up 2.5% MOM and 2.8% YOY when normalized for slaughter days. Total red meat production has increased on a YOY basis for nine consecutive months through May while the MOM increase in total red meat production of 2.5% was slightly greater than the ten year average April – May seasonal increase of 2.3%. ’15-’16 YTD U.S. red meat production is up 2.3% YOY throughout the first two thirds of the production season. Pork – Production Increases to Record Seasonal High, Finishes up 2.4% YOY May ’16 U.S. pork production of 1.95 billion pounds declined 0.5% MOM but increased 2.4% YOY when normalized for slaughter days, reaching a record high for the month of May. The monthly YOY increase in pork production was the first experienced in the past four months. May ’16 total hogs slaughtered increased 2.7% YOY, more than offsetting a 0.4% YOY decline in average weights/head. ’14-’15 annual U.S. pork production finished up 4.6% YOY, which was a seven year high on a percentage basis. ’15-’16 YTD U.S. pork production is up an additional 2.1% YOY throughout the first two thirds of the production season. Beef – Production Remains Higher on YOY Basis for the Seventh Consecutive Month May ’16 U.S. beef production of 2.03 billion pounds increased 5.6% MOM and 3.2% YOY when normalized for slaughter days. U.S. beef production has increased on a YOY basis for seven consecutive months through May. The May ’16 total number of cattle slaughtered increased by 3.4% YOY while average weights/head finished 0.1% above the previous year. ’14-’15 annual U.S. beef production finished down 4.7% YOY however ’15-’16 YTD U.S. beef production has gained back a portion of the losses, finishing 2.7% higher on a YOY basis throughout the first two thirds of the production season.