WASHINGTON – Total commercial red meat production in the United States during January 2013 was 4,348.3 million lbs., up 9 percent from December and up 5 percent from January 2012, the US. Department of Agriculture said in its latest Livestock Slaughter report.

Pork production was 2,065.5 million lbs., up 6 percent from December and up 4 percent from January 2012. Commercial hog slaughter totaled 9.96 million head, up 4 percent from the previous year. The average live weight of slaughter hogs was 277 lbs., down 1 lb. from the previous year.

January beef production was 2,260 million lbs., up 12 percent from December and up 7 percent from January 2012. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.83 million head, up 4 percent from January 2012. The average live weight of cattle at slaughter was 1,327 lbs., up 27 lbs. from January 2012.

Veal production was 10.5 million lbs., up 7 percent from December and up slightly from 10.4 million lbs. during January 2012. The average live weight of calves at slaughter was 253 lbs., down 9 lbs. from the previous year.