WASHINGTON — Commercial red-meat production from January to September 2009 totaled 36.8 billion lbs., down 2% from 2008.

Accumulated beef production was down 3% from last year, veal was down 4%, pork was down 1% from last year and lamb and mutton production was down 3%. In September, commercial red-meat production for the U.S. totaled 4.26 billion lbs., down slightly from the 4.27 billion lbs. produced in September one year earlier, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Pork production totaled 2 billion lbs., a 1% increase from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 9.94 million head, down slightly from September 2008. The average live weight was up 4 lbs. from the previous year, at 270 lbs.

Totaling 2.23 billion lbs., beef production in September was 2% below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.81 million head, down 3% from September 2008. The average live weight was up 14 lbs. from the previous year, at 1,311 lbs.

Veal production totaled 11.7 million lbs. last month, 8% below September a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 81,200 head, down 7% from September 2008. The average live weight decreased 7 lbs. from last year, at 244 lbs.

At 14.8 million lbs., lamb and mutton production increased 2% from September 2008. Sheep slaughter totaled 225,400 head, 1% above last year. The average live weight was 130 lbs., up 1 lb. from September 2008.