USDA reports that commercial U.S. red meat production during October 2009 was down 3% from October 2008 at 4.391 billion pounds, including a record low for the month in lamb and mutton production. So far this year, red meat production is 41.154 billion pounds, compared to 42.193 billion a year ago at this time.
Lamb and mutton totaled 14.3 million pounds, with the slaughter down 3% at 218,800 head and the average live weight two pounds lighter at 131 pounds per animal. The year to date lamb and mutton production is 140.7 million pounds, compared to 15.0 million for January to October 2008.
Beef production was 3% below a year ago at 2.275 billion pounds, with the kill also down 3% at 2.886 million head and the average live weight up two pounds from last year at 1,312 pounds per animal. So far this year, beef production is 21.814 billion pounds, compared to 22.520 billion for January to October 2008.
Pork production came out at 2.089 billion pounds, 3% less than a year ago, with the kill down 4% at 10.319 million head and the average live weight three pounds heavier than in October 2008 at 272 pounds. For the first 10 months of 2009, pork production is 19.086 billion pounds, compared to 19.409 billion for the same time period a year ago.
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