Commercial Red Meat Production Down from Last Year

Commercial Red Meat Production Down from Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.00 billion pounds in December, down 5 percent from the 4.22 billion pounds produced in December 2011.

Beef production, at 2.02 billion pounds, was 5 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.54 million head, down 8 percent from December 2011. The average live weight was up 26 pounds from the previous year, at 1,323 pounds.

Veal production totaled 9.8 million pounds, 9 percent below December a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 65,400 head, down 10 percent from December 2011. The average live weight was up 1 pound from last year, at 254 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.95 billion pounds, down 5 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.47 million head, down 5 percent from December 2011. The average live weight was down 2 pounds from the previous year, at 276 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.8 million pounds, was up 3 percent from December 2011. Sheep slaughter totaled 189,700 head, 5 percent above last year. The average live weight was 135 pounds, down 4 pounds from December a year ago.

January to December 2012 commercial red meat production was 49.4 billion pounds, up slightly from 2011. Accumulated beef production was down 1 percent from last year, veal was down 9 percent, pork was up 2 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 5 percent.

Source: USDA