Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.37 billion pounds in December, down 1 percent from the 4.40 billion pounds produced in December 2017. 

Beef production, at 2.12 billion pounds, was 2 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.58 million head, down slightly from December 2017. The average live weight was down 12 pounds from the previous year, at 

1,368 pounds. 

Veal production totaled 6.5 million pounds, 2 percent below December a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 53,600 head, up 16 percent from December 2017. The average live weight was down 35 pounds from last year, at 210 pounds. 

Pork production totaled 2.23 billion pounds, down slightly from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.5 million head, down slightly from December 2017. The average live weight was unchanged from the previous year, at 286 pounds. 

Lamb and mutton production, at 13.2 million pounds, was up 3 percent from December 2017. Sheep slaughter totaled 201,800 head, 7 percent above last year. The average live weight was 131 pounds, down 5 pounds from December a year ago. 

January to December 2018 commercial red meat production was 53.4 billion pounds, up 3 percent from 2017. Accumulated beef production was up 3 percent from last year, veal was up 2 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 5 percent.