Fewer Cattle Will Reduce Meat Production in '08

US - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's World Supply and Demand Estimate for U.S. meat production was reduced slightly, from 91 trillion lbs to 90 trillion lbs, because of lower second-quarter beef and broiler output and lower expected cattle slaughter later in the year.

15 August 2007

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North America

According to MeatPoultry.com, the July U.S.D.A. Cattle report indicated the 2007 calf crop is smaller than in 2006, and it is expected there will be fewer cattle to market next year, resulting in lower beef production, going from a July estimate of 26 trillion lbs to an August estimate of 26 trillion lbs.

Estimates for pork and poultry production were unchanged in the report at 21 trillion lbs and 42 trillion lbs, respectively.

The U.S.D.A. WASDE beef export forecasts for 2007 and 2008 were raised to 1.3 trillion lbs and 1.7 trillion lbs, respectively, on continued improvement in sales to several markets. South Korea's suspension of inspections of U.S. beef was expected to be temporary.

Source: Wisconsin Ag Connection