WASHINGTON – Commercial red-meat production for the United States totaled 4.13 billion lbs. in August, up 1% from the 4.08 billion lbs. produced in August 2009, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.).

Totaling 2.29 billion lbs., beef production was 5% above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.96 million head, up 6% from August 2009. The average live weight was down 16 lbs. from the previous year, at 1,277 lbs.


Veal production totaled 11.2 million lbs., 6% above August a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 76,200 head, down 1% from August 2009. The average live weight was up 20 lbs. from last year, at 254 lbs.

Totaling 1.82 billion lbs., pork production was down 3% from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 9.11 million head, down 2% from August 2009. The average live weight was down 1 lb. from the previous year, at 267 lbs.

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.8 million lbs., was down 4% from August 2009. Sheep slaughter totaled 204,000 head, slightly above last year. The average live weight was 126 lbs., down 5 lbs. from August a year ago.

January to August 2010 commercial red-meat production was 31.9 billion lbs., down 2% from 2009. Accumulated beef production was up slightly from last year, veal was down 1%, pork was down 4% from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 3%.