WASHINGTON – Commercial red-meat production for the U.S. totaled 3.74 billion lbs. in February, down 2% from the 3.83 billion lbs. produced in February 2009, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Totaling 1.96 billion lbs., beef production was 2% below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.55 million head, up 1% from February 2009. The average live weight was down 25 lbs. from the previous year, at 1,285 lbs.

Veal production totaled 10.7 million lbs., 2% lower than February 2009. Calf slaughter totaled 74,000 head, down slightly from February 2009. The average live weight was down 10 lbs. from last year, at 247 lbs.

Totaling 1.76 billion lbs., pork production was down 3% from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 8.69 million head, down 3% from February 2009. The average live weight was down 2 lbs. from the previous year, at 270 lbs.

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.3 million lbs., was down 3% from February 2009. Sheep slaughter totaled 178,400 head, 1% below last year. The average live weight was 139 lbs., down 3 lbs. from February 2009.

From January to February 2010, commercial red meat production totaled 7.65 billion lbs., down 4% from 2009. Accumulated beef production was down 2% from last year, veal was down 3%, pork was down 7% from last year and lamb and mutton production was down 3%.