Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.96 billion pounds in September, up 1 percent from the 3.94 billion pounds produced in September 2013.
Beef production, at 2.07 billion pounds, was slightly below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.53 million head, down 3 percent from September 2013. The average live weight was up 31 pounds from the previous year, at 1,344 pounds.
Veal production totaled 7.2 million pounds, 16 percent below September a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 42,300 head, down 33 percent from September 2013. The average live weight was up 57 pounds from last year, at 291 pounds.
Pork production totaled 1.87 billion pounds, up 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 8.83 million head, down 2 percent from September 2013. The average live weight was up 10 pounds from the previous year, at 283 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 12.3 million pounds, was up 5 percent from September 2013. Sheep slaughter totaled 191,900 head, 4 percent above last year. The average live weight was 128 pounds, up 2 pounds from September a year ago.
January to September 2014 commercial red meat production was 35.1 billion pounds, down 4 percent from 2013. Accumulated beef production was down 6 percent from last year, veal was down 13 percent, pork was down 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down slightly.
Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service, United States Department of Agriculture
