Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 5.00 billion pounds in March, up 13 percent from the 4.43 billion pounds produced in March 2019. 

Beef production, at 2.41 billion pounds, was 14 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.92 million head, up 10 percent from March 2019. The average live weight was up 29 pounds from the previous year, at 1,368 pounds. 

Veal production totaled 5.8 million pounds, slightly above March a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 43,200 head, down 6 percent from March 2019. The average live weight was up 13 pounds from last year, at 232 pounds. 

Pork production totaled 2.57 billion pounds, up 12 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 11.9 million head, up 11 percent from March 2019. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 288 pounds. 

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.2 million pounds, was down 6 percent from March 2019. Sheep slaughter totaled 187,500 head, 2 percent below last year. The average live weight was 131 pounds, down 6 pounds from March a year ago. 

January to March 2020 commercial red meat production was 14.4 billion pounds, up 8 percent from 2019. Accumulated beef production was up 8 percent from last year, veal was down 6 percent, pork was up 9 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 5 percent.