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.