Red Meat Production Down 4 Percent From Last Year
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.12 billion pounds in November, down 4 percent from the 4.31 billion pounds produced in November 2012.
Beef production, at 2.06 billion pounds, was 7 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.57 million head, down 8 percent from November 2012. The average live weight was up 17 pounds from the previous year, at 1,338 pounds.
Veal production totaled 9.1 million pounds, 10 percent below November a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 60,600 head, down 14 percent from November 2012. The average live weight was up 12 pounds from last year, at 256 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.04 billion pounds, down 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.65 million head, down 5 percent from November 2012. The average live weight was up 7 pounds from the previous year, at 283 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 11.8 million pounds, was down 5 percent from November 2012. Sheep slaughter totaled 184,200 head, 1 percent above last year. The average live weight was 128 pounds, down 9 pounds from November a year ago.
January to November 2013 commercial red meat production was 45.0 billion pounds, down 1 percent from 2012. Accumulated beef production was down 1 percent from last year, veal was down 6 percent, pork was down 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 1 percent.
