February 28, 2013

US red meat production rises 5% on-year

In January 2013, total commercial red meat production in the US was 4,348.3 million pounds, up 9% from December 2012 and up 5% from January 2012.

This is according to the USDA's latest Livestock Slaughter report.

Pork production was 2,065.5 million pounds, up 6% from December and up 4% from January 2012. Commercial hog slaughter totalled 9.96 million head, up 4% from the previous year. The average live weight of slaughter hogs was 277 pounds, down one pound from the previous year.

January beef production was 2,260 million pounds, up 12% from December and up 7% from January 2012. Cattle slaughter totalled 2.83 million head, up 4% from January 2012. The average live weight of cattle at slaughter was 1,327 pounds, up 27 pounds from January 2012.

Veal production was 10.5 million pounds, up 7% from December and up slightly from 10.4 million pounds during January 2012. The average live weight of calves at slaughter was 253 pounds, down nine pounds from the previous year.