WASHINGTON – For May, commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.91 billion lbs., up 5 percent from the 3.73 billion lbs. produced in May 2010, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Agricultural Statistics Board, US Department of Agriculture.

Totaling 2.13 billion lbs., beef production was 2 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.82 million head, up 1 percent from May 2010. The average live weight was up 3 lbs. from the previous year, at 1,253 lbs.


Up 2 percent above May a year ago, veal production totaled 10.3 million lbs. Calf slaughter totaled 61,100 head, up 1 percent from May 2010. The average live weight was up 2 lbs. from last year, at 288 lbs.

Pork production totaled 1.76 billion lbs., up 9 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 8.54 million head, up 7 percent from May 2010. The average live weight was up 3 lbs. from the previous year, at 275 lbs.

Totaling 12.9 million lbs., lamb and mutton production was up 2 percent from May 2010. Sheep slaughter totaled 179,400 head, 2 percent below last year. The average live weight was 143 lbs., up 4 lbs. from May 2010.

January to May 2011 commercial red meat production totaled 20.0 billion lbs., up 2 percent from 2010. Accumulated beef production was up 1 percent from last year, veal was down 3 percent, pork was up 2 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 7 percent.