060103 Record Slaughter in DecemberJanuary 22, 2006Washington - Livestock slaughter activity rose in December with the result a record quantity of red meat was produced, according to the USDA. Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.95 billion pounds in December, up 1% from the 3.93 billion pounds produced in December 2004. This lifted red meat production for the 2005 calendar year to 45.7 billion pounds, up 1% from 2004. Accumulated beef production was up 1% from last year, veal was down 7%, pork was up 1% from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 4%. December's beef production, at 2.06 billion pounds, was 1% above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.67 million head, down 1% from December 2004. The average live weight was up 13 pounds from the previous year, at 1,281 pounds.
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