WASHINGTON — In November, total commercial red meat production for the United States was down 2 percent from November 2010, although pork production was at a record high, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

November commercial red meat production totaled 4,260 million lbs., down from 4,271 million lbs. in October and down 2 percent from November 2010, USDA said. January–November red meat production totaled 45,020 million lbs., up 1 percent from the same period of 2010.

November beef production was 2,149 million lbs., down 3 percent from October and down 4 percent from November 2010. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.79 million head, down 3 percent from a year ago. The average live weight of cattle at slaughter was 1,293 lbs., down 6 lbs. from November 2010.

Pork production totaled 2,087 million lbs., up 3 percent from October, up 1 percent from November 2010 and the highest ever in November, the USDA claimed. Commercial hog slaughter totaled 10.04 million head, up 1 percent from November 2010. The average live weight of slaughter hogs was 278 lbs., unchanged from the previous year.

Meanwhile, veal production of 10.8 million lbs. increased 3 percent from October but down 5 percent from the previous year. Calf slaughter totaled 73,000 head, up slightly from the previous year. The average live weight of calves at slaughter was 255 lbs., down 14 lbs. from the previous year.