Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue said in a statement issued June 9 that meatpacking plants across America are “operating at more than 95% of their average capacity.”
The forecast for total red meat and poultry production in 2016 and 2017 is lowered from last month, largely as higher feed prices dampen the rate of production growth.
The 2016 forecast of total red meat and poultry production is raised from last month as higher expected cattle slaughter and heavier carcass weights more than offset a lower pork production forecast.
The 2016 forecast of total red meat and poultry production is raised from last month, while the milk production forecast for 2016 is lowered from last month as a smaller decline in the cowherd is more than offset by slower growth in milk per cow.
The 2016 forecast of total red meat and poultry production is raised from last month as higher forecast pork and broiler production more than offsets reduced forecasts for beef and turkey.
The 2016 meat forecast is raised as higher pork, broiler, and turkey production more than offsets lower forecast beef production. Forecast 2016 milk production is reduced from last month.
Beef production is lowered for 2015 due to a slower pace of fed cattle marketings and consequently, lower steer and heifer slaughter. Also, milk production forecasts for 2015 and 2016 are reduced from last month as growth in milk per cow in 2015 and 2016 is slowed.
The total meat production forecasts for 2015 and 2016 are little changed from last month due to largely offsetting changes in red meat and poultry. The milk production forecasts for 2015 and 2016 are reduced from last month.
