According to USDA, U.S. commercial red meat production totaled 4.43 billion pounds in Aug ’16, finishing up 3.2% MOM and 6.8% YOY when normalized for slaughter days. Total red meat production has increased on a YOY basis for 12 consecutive months through August while the MOM increase in total red meat production of 3.2% was greater than the ten year average July – August seasonal increase of 2.2%. ’15-’16 YTD U.S. red meat production is up 3.2% YOY throughout the first 11 months of the production season, on pace to finish at an eight year high. Pork – Production Increases to Record Seasonal High, Finishes up 3.6% YOY Aug ’16 U.S. pork production of 2.15 billion pounds increased 6.0% MOM and 3.6% YOY when normalized for slaughter days, reaching a record high for the month of August. Aug ’16 total hogs slaughtered increased 4.5% YOY, more than offsetting a 0.7% YOY decline in average weights/head. ’14-’15 annual U.S. pork production finished up 4.6% YOY, which was a seven year high on a percentage basis. ’15-’16 YTD U.S. pork production is up an additional 2.0% YOY throughout the first 11 months of the production season. Beef – Production Remains Higher on a YOY Basis for the Tenth Consecutive Month Aug ’16 U.S. beef production of 2.26 billion pounds increased 0.7% MOM and 10.1% YOY when normalized for slaughter days. U.S. beef production has increased on a YOY basis over ten consecutive months through August. The YOY increase in beef production was the largest experienced over the past nine and a half years on a percentage basis. The Aug ’16 total number of cattle slaughtered increased by 11.2% YOY, more than offsetting a 0.8% YOY decline in average weights/head. ’14-’15 annual U.S. beef production finished down 4.7% YOY however ’15-’16 YTD U.S. beef production has gained back a portion of the losses, finishing 4.4% higher on a YOY basis throughout the first 11 months of the production season.