WASHINGTON – US commercial red-meat production in November declined to 3.76 billion lbs., or 9 percent, compared to 4.12 billion lbs. produced in November 2013, the US Department of Agriculture said in its most recent Livestock Slaughter report. January to November 2014 commercial red-meat production was 43.2 billion lbs., down 4 percent from 2013.

Beef production dropped 10 percent to 1.85 billion lbs. in November, USDA reported. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.25 million head, a 12 percent decline from a year ago. Average live weight advanced 24 lbs. to 1,363 lbs. Accumulated beef production slipped 6 percent from November 2013.


Pork production declined 7 percent to 1.89 billion lbs., USDA said. Hog slaughter reached 8.81 million head, a 9 percent declined from year-ago levels. The average live weight was 286 lbs., an increase of 3 lbs. Accumulated pork production eased 2 percent from a year ago.

US veal production totaled 1.89 billion lbs., down 7 percent from November 2013. Calf slaughter totaled 35,900 head, down 9 percent compared to a year ago, according the Livestock Report. The average live weight of calves slaughtered in November was up 50 lbs. to 306 lbs. Veal production from January to November dropped 15 percent, according to USDA.

Finally, lamb and mutton production slipped 3 percent to 11.5 million lbs., USDA reported. Sheep slaughter was 6 percent lower in November 2014 compared to a year ago. The average live weight was 133 lbs., up 5 lbs. from November a year ago. Accumulated lamb and mutton production was down slightly.