News

October pork production new all-time monthly high

USDA reports red meat production during October was up 7% on the year at 4.579 billion pounds with a new monthly record for pork.

Pork production for October was 2.210 billion pounds, 9% above a year ago with the kill increasing 10% to 10.856 million head and the average live weight down a pound at 274 pounds.

Beef came out at 2.344 billion pounds, 6% more than last year, with slaughter up 3% to 2.953 million head and the average live weight rising 29 pounds at 1,318 pounds.

Veal was reported at 10.3 million pounds, down 2% with the kill up slightly at 72,900 head and the average live weight declining 11 pounds to 242 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production was 14.2 million pounds, jumping 21% from October 2011 with the slaughter up 18% at 207,100 head and average live weight gaining 3 pounds to 137 pounds.

From January to October, commercial red meat production was 41.132 billion pounds, up 1% from the same period a year ago. October 2012 had 23 weekdays, compared to 21 in October 2011.