Total meat sales have seen double-digit dollar gains for 24 consecutive weeks during pandemic.

Number of milk cows on farms rises nearly 40,000 head above same period in 2019.

Economist believes current backlog of 1.4 million hogs will swell to 3 million by end of year.

Decline in pork contributed to nearly 7% year-over-year decline in total beef, pork, chicken and turkey inventory.

Economist says fed cattle backlog rapidly diminishing and may be nearly cleared.

Feedlot inventory 2% higher than same period in 2019.