Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.14 billion pounds in December,up 3 percent from the 4.00 billion pounds produced in December 2012.
Beef production,at 2.05 billion pounds,was 1 percent above the previous year.Cattle slaughter totaled 2.56 million head,up 1 percent from December 2012.The average live weight was up 9 pounds from the previous year,at 1,333 pounds.
Veal production totaled 9.8 million pounds,1 percent above December a year ago.Calf slaughter totaled 66,500 head,up 2 percent from December 2012.The average live weight was down 2 pounds from last year,at 252 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.07 billion pounds,up 6 percent from the previous year.Hog slaughter totaled 9.74 million head,up 3 percent from December 2012.The average live weight was up 7 pounds from the previous year,at 283 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production,at 13.2 million pounds,was up 3 percent from December 2012.Sheep slaughter totaled 202,500 head,7 percent above last year.The average live weight was 130 pounds,down 5 pounds from December a year ago.
January to December 2013 commercial red meat production was 49.2 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 slightly from last year,and lamb and mutton production was down slightly.
