Red meat production is at some of its lowest  recorded level according to the latest NASS report. 
WASHINGTON – Commercial red meat production in the United States declined 1 percent in April, with veal, lamb and mutton production at record lows, the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the US Dept. of Agriculture reported.

For April, red meat production totaled 3.98 billion lbs. compared to 4.02 billion lbs. reported in April 2015, NASS said in its Livestock Slaughter report.

Veal production dropped 10 percent in April compared to a year ago. Calf slaughter declined 2 percent to 34,800 head. Average live weight was down 25 lbs. from a year ago at 293 lbs.

Lamb and mutton production retreated 6 percent from April 2015. Sheep slaughter declined 5 percent to 189,000 head. The average live weight dropped 2 lbs. to 135 lbs. this year, NASS said.

Beef production climbed 2 percent to 1.96 billion lbs. The average live weight was up 10 lbs. compared to a year ago, at 1,348 lbs. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.41 million head, up 1 percent from April 2015.

Pork production totaled 2 billion lbs., down 3 percent from a year ago. Hog slaughter was down 3 percent to 9.37 million head. The average live weight was 1 lb. heavier from the previous year at 285 lbs.

April 2015 included 22 weekdays, no holidays, and four Saturdays. April 2016 contained 21 weekdays, no holidays and five Saturdays.