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May 2013 red meat production down 1% from May 2012

USDA reports commercial red meat production during May was down 1% on the year at 4.151 billion pounds, including a monthly record low for veal.

Beef production came out at 2.228 billion pounds, a little bit less than in May 2012, with the slaughter also down slightly at 2.864 million head and the average live weight up nine pounds to 1,289 pounds.

Veal production totaled 9.1 million pounds, a 12% year to year drop, with the calf kill 2% lower to 58,200 head and average live weight declining 29 pounds to 266 pounds.

Pork was pegged at 1.900 billion pounds, 1% lower than last year, with the slaughter down 1% at 9.215 million head and average live weight one pound lighter at 276 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production during May was 14.3 million pounds, 5% more than a year ago, with the kill increasing 14% to 204,500 head but the average live weight dropping 11 pounds at 140 pounds.

For the year to date, commercial red meat production is 20.259 billion pounds, slightly more than the January to May 2012 total of 20.246 billion.

USDA’s cold storage report is out Friday at 3 PM Eastern/2 PM Central.

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