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Ag stats: U.S. livestock slaughter report highlights for June

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Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.37 billion pounds in June, up 1 percent from the 4.33 billion pounds produced in June 2018. 

Beef production, at 2.22 billion pounds, was 3 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.80 million head, down 3 percent from June 2018. The average live weight was down 8 pounds from the previous year, at 1,313 pounds. 

Veal production totaled 5.7 million pounds, 2 percent below June a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 44,400 head, down 2 percent from June 2018. The average live weight was unchanged from last year, at 223 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.13 billion pounds, up 6 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.99 million head, up 4 percent from June 2018. The average live weight was up 5 pounds from the previous year, at 285 pounds. 

Lamb and mutton production, at 11.4 million pounds, was down 8 percent from June 2018. Sheep slaughter totaled 175,300 head, 3 percent below last year. The average live weight was 130 pounds, down 7 pounds from June a year ago. 

January to June 2019 commercial red meat production was 26.8 billion pounds, up 2 percent from 2018. Accumulated beef production was up slightly from last year, veal was down 1 percent, pork was up 4 percent from last year, and lamb 

and mutton production was down 1 percent.