Red meat production from January to October 2013 totaled 40.9 billion lbs., down 1 percent from the comparable year-ago period, NASS said. Accumulated beef production saw a slight decline from 2012, while veal production for the period was down 6 percent. Pork declined 1 percent from the comparable period a year ago, and lamb and mutton production saw a slight decline.
Beef production for October totaled 2.32 billion lbs., down 1 percent from a year ago. Cattle slaughter was down 2 percent to 2.90 million head, according to NASS. The average live weight increased 9 lbs. to 1,327 lbs.
Pork production eased 2 percent to 2.17 billion lbs. in October. Hog slaughter was down 4 percent to 10.42 million head, and the average live weight increased 4 lbs. to 278 lbs., NASS reported.
October lamb and mutton production declined 8 percent to 13.1 million lbs. compared to a year ago, according to NASS data. Sheep slaughter was slightly higher for October 2013 at 208,100 head. The average live weight was 126 lbs., down 11 lbs. from a year ago, according to NASS.
Veal production reached 10.0 million lbs. down 4 percent from October 2012. Calf slaughter declined 5 percent to reach 69,500 head. The average live weight was up 3 percent to 245 lbs.
