According to the USDA's latest Livestock Slaughter report, commercial meat production for the United States totaled 3.67 billion pounds in February, down 6 percent from the 3.91 billion pounds produced in February 2012.
Pork production totaled 1.78 billion pounds, down 6 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 8.59 million head, down 5 percent from February 2012. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 277 pounds.
Beef production, at 1.87 billion pounds, was 7 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.36 million head, down 8 percent from February 2012. The average live weight was up 13 pounds from the previous year, at 1,320 pounds.
Veal production totaled 9.0 million pounds, 9 percent below February a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 59,600 head, down 1 percent from February 2012. The average live weight was down 18 pounds from last year, at 258 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 11.5 million pounds, was down 7 percent from February 2012. Sheep slaughter totaled 161,700 head, 2 percent below last year. The average live weight was 142 pounds, down 7 pounds from February a year ago.
January to February 2013 commercial red meat production was 8.0 billion pounds, down slightly from 2012. Accumulated beef production was up slightly from last year, veal was down 4 percent, pork was down 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 2 percent.