UNITED STATES HIGHLIGHTS 

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.57 billion pounds in May, up 1 percent from the 4.50 billion pounds produced in May 2018. 

Beef production, at 2.33 billion pounds, was 1 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.94 million head, up 1 percent from May 2018. The average live weight was unchanged from the previous year, at 1,316 pounds. 

Veal production totaled 6.3 million pounds, 1 percent below May a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 46,200 head, down 1 percent from May 2018. The average live weight was down 2 pounds from last year, at 236 pounds. 

Pork production totaled 2.22 billion pounds, up 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.4 million head, up 1 percent from May 2018. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from the previous year, at 287 pounds. 

Lamb and mutton production, at 13.4 million pounds, was down 2 percent from May 2018. Sheep slaughter totaled 209,200 head, 4 percent above last year. The average live weight was 128 pounds, down 8 pounds from May a year ago. 

January to May 2019 commercial red meat production was 22.4 billion pounds, up 2 percent from 2018. Accumulated beef production was up 1 percent from last year, veal was down 1 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 1 percent.