USDA reports pork production in August totaled 2.00 billion lbs., up 6% from the previous year and a record for the month. Hog slaughter totaled 9.94 million head, up 4% from August 2011. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 269 pounds.
Beef production, at 2.37 billion lbs., was 1% below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 3.00 million head, down 3% from August 2011. The average live weight was up 30 pounds from the previous year, at 1,300 pounds.
January to August 2012 commercial red meat production was 32.6 billion lbs., up 1% from 2011. Accumulated beef production was down 1% from last year, veal was down 9%, pork was up 3% from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 4%.
In August, commercial red meat production totaled 4.39 billion lbs., up 2% from the 4.30 billion pounds produced in August 2011.
