September commercial beef production -- local slaughter -- totaled 501,000 pounds, falling from 525,000 pounds last year. Commercial kill for the month totaled 900 head. Average live weight per head, at 1,074 pounds, was 4 percent heavier. Cumulative beef production was marginally below the same 9-month period during 2003.

September cattle marketings, including those for out-of-state shipment, totaled 3,200 head, down from 3,800 head a year ago and 3,300 head during August 2004. All of the decrease in marketings was the result of fewer out-of-state shipments as local commercial slaughter was unchanged. Exports during September, 2,300 head, ran 21 percent below year-ago levels. Year-to-date exports for 2004 was 20,300 head, a decrease of 30 percent.

September commercial pork production totaled 331,000 pounds, compared with 347,000 pounds a year ago. Total hog kill of 2,200 head was unchanged but average live weight per head, at 203 pounds, was 1 percent lower. Cumulative pork production for the first nine months of 2004 was 8 percent below the same period in 2003.

Source: eFeedLink - 26th November 2004