January 28, 2013

Commercial meat output for the US has reached four billion pounds in December 2012, a 5% drop from the 4.22 billion pounds produced in December 2011, according to a USDA report.
 

Pork production totalled 1.95 billion pounds, down 5% from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.47 million head, down 5% from December 2011. The average live weight was down two pounds from the previous year, at 276 pounds.
 

Beef production, at 2.02 billion pounds, was 5% below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.54 million head, down 8% from December 2011. The average live weight was up 26 pounds from the previous year, at 1,323 pounds.
 

Veal production totaled 9.8 million pounds, 9% below December a year ago. Calf slaughter totalled 65,400 head, down 10% from December 2011. The average live weight was up one pound from last year, at 254 pounds.
 

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.8 million pounds, was up 3% from December 2011. Sheep slaughter totalled 189,700 head, 5% above last year. The average live weight was 135 pounds, down four pounds from December a year ago.
 

January to December 2012 commercial meat production was 49.4 billion pounds, up slightly from 2011. Accumulated beef production was down 1% from last year.