WASHINGTON – Commercial red meat production declined 6 percent to 3.67 billion lbs. in February, down from the 3.91 billion lbs. produced in February 2012, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Beef production was 7 percent below 2012 levels at 1.87 billion lbs., NASS reported. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.36 million head, down 8 percent from February 2012. The average live weight was increased 13 lbs. from a year ago, at 1,320 lbs.

Veal production totaled 9.0 million lbs., down 9 percent from February 2012. Calf slaughter totaled 59,600 head, down 1 percent from last year, according to NASS. The average live weight was declined 18 lbs. from last year, at 258 lbs.

Pork production eased 6 percent to 1.78 billion lbs. Hog slaughter totaled 8.59 million head, down 5 percent from February 2012. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 277 lbs., NASS reported.

Lamb and mutton production was 11.5 million lbs., down 7 percent from February 2012. Sheep slaughter totaled 161,700 head, 2 percent below last year, NASS reported. The average live weight was 142 lbs., down 7 lbs. from February 2012.

January to February 2013 commercial red meat production was 8.0 billion lbs., a slight decline from 2012, according to NASS. Accumulated beef production was up slightly from last year, veal fell 4 percent, pork was down 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production slipped 2 percent.