Total commercial red meat production in the United States during May 2013 was 4,151 million lbs, up 1% from April but down 1% from May 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its latest Livestock Slaughter report.
Pork production was 1,900 million lbs, down 2% from April and down 1% from May 2012. Commercial hog slaughter totaled 9.22 million head, down 1% from the previous year. The average live weight of slaughter hogs was 276 lbs, down 1 lb from the previous year.
May beef production was 2,228 million lbs, up 5% from April but down slightly from 2,232 million lbs in May 2012. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.86 million head, down slightly from May 2012. The average live weight of cattle at slaughter was 1,289 lbs, up 9 lbs from May 2012.
Veal production was 9.1 million lbs, a record low for May, equal to levels in April but down 12% from May 2012. The average live weight of calves at slaughter was 266 lbs, down 29 lbs from the previous year.
