WASHINGTON – In February, US commercial red meat production totaled 3.81 billion lbs., up 2% from the 3.74 billion lbs. produced in February 2010, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, US Department of Agriculture.

Commercial red meat production January to February totaled 7.85 billion lbs., up 3% from 2010. Accumulated beef production was up 3% from last year, veal was down 5%, pork was up 3% and lamb and mutton production was down 12%.


Totaling 2.02 billion lbs., beef production was 3% above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.62 million head, up 3% from February 2010. The average live weight was up 1 lb. from the previous year, at 1,286 lbs.

Meanwhile, veal production totaled 10.5 million pounds, 2% below February a year ago. Calf slaughter was down 7% from February 2010, totaling 68,800 head. The average live weight was 264 lbs., up 17 lbs. from last year.

Pork production totaled 1.77 billion lbs., up 1% from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 8.51 million head, down 2% from February 2010. The average live weight was 277 lbs., up 7 lbs. from the previous year.

Totaling 10.9 million lbs., lamb and mutton production was down 12% from February 2010. Sheep slaughter totaled 155,100 head, 13% below last year. The average live weight was 141 lbs., up 1 lb. from February one year earlier.