U.S. Cattle & Hogs Production Update – May ’16
According to USDA, U.S. commercial red meat production totaled 3.98 billion pounds in
Apr ’16, finishing down 0.6% MOM but remaining up 1.3% YOY when normalized for slaughter days. Total red meat production has increased on a YOY basis for eight consecutive months through April while the MOM decline in total red meat production of 0.6% was slightly less than the ten year average March – April seasonal decline of 0.9%. ’15-’16 YTD U.S. red meat production is up 2.3% YOY throughout the first seven months of the production season.
Pork – Production Declines on a YOY Basis for the Third Consecutive Month
Apr ’16 U.S. pork production of 2.00 billion pounds declined 0.8% MOM and 1.2% YOY when normalized for slaughter days. The monthly YOY decline in pork production was the third experienced in a row. Pork production had increased on a YOY basis for 13 consecutive months from Jan ’15 – Jan ’16. Apr ’16 total hogs slaughtered declined 1.1% YOY, more than offsetting a 0.4% YOY increase in average weights/head. Despite the YOY decline, Apr ’16 pork production remained at the second highest figure on record for the month of April. ’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 remains up an additional 2.0% YOY throughout the first seven months of the production season, despite the most recent YOY declines.
Beef – Production Remains Higher on YOY Basis for the Sixth Consecutive Month
Apr ’16 U.S. beef production of 1.96 billion pounds declined 0.3% MOM but remained 4.0% higher on a YOY when normalized for slaughter days. U.S. beef production has increased on a YOY basis for six consecutive months through April. The Apr ’16 total number of cattle slaughtered increased by 3.3% YOY while average weights/head finished 0.7% 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 2.6% higher on a YOY basis throughout the first seven months of the production season.