Pork production was 1,900 million lbs., down 2 percent from April and down 1 percent from May 2012. Commercial hog slaughter totaled 9.22 million head, down 1 percent from the previous year. The average live weight of slaughter hogs was 276 lbs., down 1 lb. from the previous year.
May beef production was 2,228 million lbs., up 5 percent from April but down slightly from 2,232 million lbs. in May 2012. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.86 million head, down slightly from May 2012. The average live weight of cattle at slaughter was 1,289 lbs., up 9 lbs. from May 2012.
Veal production was 9.1 million lbs., a record low for May, equal to levels in April but down 12 percent from May 2012. The average live weight of calves at slaughter was 266 lbs., down 29 lbs. from the previous year.
