December 26, 2011

US November beef output slides 4% on-year

US beef production this November totalled 2.15 billion pounds, down 4% on-year, according to the November Livestock Slaughter report.

Total US commercial red meat production decreased by 2% from last November's totals, moving from 4.33 billion pounds last year to 4.26 billion pounds.

Veal production totalled 10.8 million pounds, 5% below November a year ago. Calf slaughter totalled 73,000 head, up slightly from November 2010. The average live weight was down 14 pounds from last year, at 255 pounds.

January to November 2011 commercial red meat production was 45.0 billion pounds, up 1% from 2010. Accumulated beef production was up slightly from last year, veal was down 3%, pork was up 2% from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 9%.

Pork production totalled 2.09 billion pounds, up 1% from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.04 million head, up 1% from November 2010. The average live weight was unchanged from the previous year, at 278 pounds.