WASHINGTON – From January to April, commercial red-meat production totaled 16.1 billion lbs., up 1 percent from 2010, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Accumulated beef production was up 1 percent from last year, veal was down 4 percent, pork was up 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 10 percent.

In April, commercial red meat production for the US totaled 3.87 billion lbs., down 4 percent from the 4.01 billion lbs. produced in April 2010. Totaling 2.05 billion lbs., beef production was 4 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.72 million head, down 4 percent from April 2010. The average live weight was up 4 lbs. from the previous year, at 1,257 lbs.


Veal production totaled 10.2 million lbs., 8 percent below April a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 58,900 head, down 14 percent from April 2010. The average live weight was up 21 lbs. from last year, at 296 lbs.

Pork production totaled 1.79 billion lbs., down 3 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 8.63 million head, down 5 percent from April 2010. The average live weight was up 4 lbs. from the previous year, at 277 lbs.

Totaling 14.3 million lbs., lamb and mutton production was up 11 percent from April 2010. Sheep slaughter totaled 206,700 head, 9 percent above last year. The average live weight was 138 lbs., up 2 lbs. from April a year ago.