November 25, 2013
US October red meat production down 2%
In October, US commercial red meat production totalled 4.51 billion pounds, a 2% decline from the 4.58 billion pounds recorded in October 2012, the USDA''s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported.
From January-October 2013, red meatproduction totalled 40.9 billion pounds, down 1% from the comparable year-ago period, NASS said. Accumulated beef production saw a slight decline from 2012, while veal production for the period was down 6%. Pork declined 1% from the comparable period a year ago, and lamb and mutton production saw a slight decline.
NASS reported that beef production for October totalled 2.32 billion pound, down 1 % from a year ago, while cattle slaughter was down 2% to 2.90 million head. The average live weight increased nine pounds to 1,327 pounds.
Pork production eased 2% to 2.17 billion pounds in October and hog slaughter was down 4% to 10.42 million head, while the average live weight increased four pounds to 278 pounds, NASS reported.
Lamb and mutton production also declined 8% to 13.1 million pounds in October compared to a year ago, according to NASS data. Sheep slaughter was slightly higher for October 2013 at 208,100 head. The average live weight was 126 pounds, down 11 pounds from a year ago, according to NASS.
Veal production reached 10.0 million pounds down 4% from October 2012. Calf slaughter declined 5% to reach 69,500 head. The average live weight was up 3% to 245 pounds.