Commercial Red Meat Production Down 3 Percent From Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.98 billion pounds in April, down 3 percent from the 4.09 billion pounds produced in April 2013.

Beef production, at 2.04 billion pounds, was 4 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.59 million head, down 5 percent from April 2013. The average live weight was up 10 pounds from the previous year, at 1,306 pounds.

Veal production totaled 8.4 million pounds, 8 percent below April a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 48,700 head, down 17 percent from April 2013. The average live weight was up 28 pounds from last year, at 294 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.91 billion pounds, down 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 8.85 million head, down 5 percent from April 2013. The average live weight was up 10 pounds from the previous year, at 287 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 15.2 million pounds, was up 13 percent from April 2013. Sheep slaughter totaled 221,000 head, 15 percent above last year. The average live weight was 137 pounds, down 3 pounds from April a year ago.

January to April 2014 commercial red meat production was 15.7 billion pounds, down 3 percent from 2013. Accumulated beef production was down 5 percent from last year, veal was down 8 percent, pork was down slightly from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 2 percent.

Source: USDA