UNITED STATES HIGHLIGHTS

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.90 billion pounds in October, up 6 percent from the 4.64 billion pounds produced in October 2017.

Beef production, at 2.43 billion pounds, was 5 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.96 million head, up 6 percent from October 2017. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from the previous year, at 1,363 pounds.

Veal production totaled 7.2 million pounds, 13 percent above October a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 53,800 head, up 22 percent from October 2017. The average live weight was down 18 pounds from last year, at 232 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.45 billion pounds, up 6 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 11.6 million head, up 6 percent from October 2017. The average live weight was unchanged from the previous year, at 283 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 13.1 million pounds, was up 10 percent from October 2017. Sheep slaughter totaled 199,800 head, 9 percent above last year. The average live weight was 131 pounds, up 2 pounds from October a year ago.

January to October 2018 commercial red meat production was 44.4 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 6 percent.