UNITED STATES HIGHLIGHTS 

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.65 billion pounds in August, down 2 percent from the 4.77 billion pounds produced in August 2018. 

Beef production, at 2.37 billion pounds, was 2 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.93 million head, down 2 percent from August 2018. The average live weight was down 6 pounds from the previous year, at 1,338 pounds. 

Veal production totaled 6.0 million pounds, 9 percent below August a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 50,900 head, down 3 percent from August 2018. The average live weight was down 11 pounds from last year, at 205 pounds. 

Pork production totaled 2.26 billion pounds, down 3 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.9 million head, down 3 percent from August 2018. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 279 pounds. 

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.6 million pounds, was down 6 percent from August 2018. Sheep slaughter totaled 201,500 head, 2 percent below last year. The average live weight was 126 pounds, down 5 pounds from August a year ago. 

January to August 2019 commercial red meat production was 36.0 billion pounds, up 2 percent from 2018. Accumulated beef production was up 1 percent from last year, veal was down 2 percent, pork was up 4 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 1 percent.