USA - Rising feed costs will cut meat production

USDA has dropped its total U.S. meat production projections for 2009 and 2010. In its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, USDA estimated pork production for this year to be 22.75 billion pounds. While market hog numbers are down a bit from last year's record-setting pace, heavier carcass weights have pushed overall pounds of pork above 2008's second-quarter levels. USDA reduced next year's pork production to 22.35 billion pounds.