Final answer:
The USDA data provided indicates changes in meat consumption patterns rather than information about beef carcass weights or ribeye areas. Decreased beef consumption doesn't directly answer the question about carcass weights and ribeye areas, as they are related to production attributes rather than consumption trends.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerning whether beef carcass weights and ribeye areas are increasing in the US does not directly correlate with the information provided on consumption changes from 1980 to 2014. The data indicates that there has been a shift in consumer preferences, leading to a decrease in beef consumption and an increase in chicken consumption, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Despite the decreased consumption of beef, this does not inherently imply that beef carcass weights and ribeye areas have decreased or increased, as the question asks for data on the characteristics of beef production rather than consumption patterns.
It is important to differentiate between market consumption trends and livestock production attributes when discussing such topics. Trends in consumption can influence production decisions, but the relationship is not always direct and can be influenced by a wide range of factors including technological advances in agriculture, changes in industry standards, and breeding practices. To accurately answer the student's question, specific data on livestock production over time would be required.