WASHINGTON – For the month of April, commercial red-meat production for the U.S. totaled 4.01 billion lbs., down 2% from the 4.09 billion lbs. produced in April 2009, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Totaling 2.14 billion lbs., beef production was slightly above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.85 million head, up 3% from April 2009. The average live weight was down 23 lbs. from the previous year, at 1,253 lbs.

Veal production totaled 11.1 million lbs., 1% below April a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 68,500 head, up 1% from April 2009. The average live weight was down 6 lbs. from last year, at 275 lbs.

Totaling 1.85 billion lbs., pork production was down 4% from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 9.05 million head, down 4% from April 2009. The average live weight was up 1 lb. from the previous year, at 273 lbs.

Lamb and mutton production, totaling 13.0 million lbs., was down 16% from April 2009. Sheep slaughter totaled 190,700 head, 17% below last year. The average live weight was 136 lbs., up 1 lb. from April a year ago.

Commercial red-meat production from January to April 2010 was 15.9 billion lbs., down 2% from 2009. Accumulated beef production was up slightly from last year, veal was down 2%, pork was down 4% from last year and lamb and mutton production was down 3%.