PROSPECTIVE MEAT SUPPLIES FOR I9U5 AHD 19^6 

 by L. F. Stlce, Extension Marketing Specialist 



The Bureau of Agricultui^l Economics has forecast that total meat output will 

 continue at a relatively low level during the summer months, but during October, November, 

 and December of 19^5 will be nearly equal to that of these corresponding months of 19'*^. 

 Total meat production for the year 19^5 is now expected to be 9 percent less than the rec- 

 ord 19^^ production. The kind of meats on the market for the next eight to ten months 

 will be somewhat different than at times in the past. In the latter part of 19*^3 and 

 first half of 19^^ the total live weight of hogs slaughtered under federal inspection ex- 

 ceeded live weight slaughter of cattle and calves (see chart). With the exception of 

 December 19^'+> the total live weight of cattle and calves slaughtered since last August 

 has exceeded hog slaughter. 



The number of cattle on farms Jcuiuary 1, 19^5 was only 1 percent less than the 

 record number January 1, 19^, while the I9U5 spring pig crop was down 7 percent. Thus 

 monthly slaughter of pork from now until the 19^5 fall raised pigs are marketed can be 

 expected to remain below the fall and winter months of 19^^- ^5. Heavy marketings of 

 grass cattle will maintain beef supplies during the rest of 19^5* but supplies in the 

 first half of 19^6 will depend largely upon the outlook during the coming months for feed- 

 ing cattle in the corn belt. It is expected that the demand for meat will continue 

 strong through the remainder of 19^5 and early 19^6 and prices of meat animals will be 

 maintained at or near present levels. 



FEDERALLY INSPECTED SLAUGHTER OF LIVESTOCK, LIVE WEIGHT BY MONTHS, U.S., 



19*^5 to date 



Millioit 

 lb. 



2000 - 



1500 - 



1000 - 



500 - 



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