United States Highlights

• Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.77 billion pounds in August, up 3 percent from the 4.63 billion pounds produced in August 2017. 
• Beef production, at 2.43 billion pounds, was 1 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.98 million head, up 1 percent from August 2017. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 1,344 pounds. 
• Veal production totaled 6.5 million pounds, 2 percent above August a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 52,300 head, up 13 percent from August 2017. The average live weight was down 23 pounds from last year, at 215 pounds. 
• Pork production totaled 2.32 billion pounds, up 5 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 11.2 million head, up 5 percent from August 2017. The average live weight was unchanged from the previous year, at 278 pounds. 
• Lamb and mutton production, at 13.4 million pounds, was up 4 percent from August 2017. Sheep slaughter totaled 204,500 head, 5 percent above last year. The average live weight was 131 pounds, down 1 pound from August a year ago. 
• January to August 2018 commercial red meat production was 35.3 billion pounds, up 4 percent from 2017. Accumulated beef production was up 4 percent from last year, veal was up 1 percent, pork was up 4 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 5 percent.