WASHINGTON — Total red meat production for the United States in April was down 5% from a year ago, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its latest

April commercial red meat production totaled 4,084 million lbs, down 5% from April of last year, the U.S.D.A said. January to April commercial red meat production was 16,220 million lbs., down 3% from the same period last year.

Beef production was 2,133 million lbs in April, down 5% from April 2008. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.77 million head, which was down 6% from a year ago. The average live weight of cattle at slaughter was 1,276 lbs in April, up 17 lbs from a year earlier.

Pork production in April was 1,924 million lbs, down 5% from the previous year. Commercial hog slaughter totaled 9.43 million head, down 6% from April 2008. Average live weight for hogs in April was 272 lbs, up 3 lbs from April 2008.