WASHINGTON – January to November 2010 US commercial red-meat production was 44.7 billion lbs. down 1% from 2009. Accumulated beef production was up 1% from last year, veal was down 2%, pork was down 3% from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 4%. But for the month of November, US commercial red-meat production totaled 4.33 billion lbs., up 9% from the 3.96 billion lbs. produced in November 2009, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, US Department of Agriculture.

Totaling 2.24 billion lbs., beef production was 11% above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.88 million head, up 11% from November 2009. The average live weight was up 1 lb. from the previous year, at 1,299 lbs.


Veal production totaled 11.3 million lbs., 4% below November a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 72,900 head, down 10% from November 2009. The average live weight was up 23 lbs from last year, at 269 lbs.

Totaling 2.07 billion lbs., pork production was up 8% from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 9.97 million head, up 5% from November 2009. The average live weight was up 6 lbs. from the previous year, at 278 lbs.

Lamb and mutton production, totaling 14.3 million lbs., was down slightly from November 2009. Sheep slaughter totaled 218,000 head, 1% below last year. The average live weight was 131 lbs., unchanged from November a year ago.