Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.78 billion pounds in December, down 1 percent from the 4.86 billion pounds produced in December 2020. 

Beef production, at 2.36 billion pounds, was 1 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.82 million head, up 1 percent from December 2020. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 1,392 pounds. 

Veal production totaled 5.3 million pounds, 7 percent below December a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 38,700 head, down 5 percent from December 2020. The average live weight was down 5 pounds from last year, at 237 pounds. 

Pork production totaled 2.40 billion pounds, down 4 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 11.1 million head, down 4 percent from December 2020. The average live weight was down 2 pounds from the previous year, at 292 pounds. 

Lamb and mutton production, at 11.6 million pounds, was down 4 percent from December 2020. Sheep slaughter totaled 187,100 head, 5 percent below last year. The average live weight was 123 pounds, up 1 pound from December a year ago. 

January to December 2021 commercial red meat production was 55.8 billion pounds, up slightly from 2020. Accumulated beef production was up 3 percent from last year, veal was down 17 percent, pork was down 2 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 1 percent.