Released by USDA on April 25, 2024
Commercial Red Meat Production Down 11 Percent from Last Year
- March 2023 contained 23 weekdays (including 0 holidays) and 4 Saturdays.
- March 2024 contained 21 weekdays (including 0 holidays) and 5 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.38 billion pounds in March, down 11 percent from the 4.91 billion pounds produced in March 2023.
Beef production, at 2.11 billion pounds, was 12 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.51 million head, down 15 percent from March 2023. The average live weight was up 26 pounds from the previous year, at 1,392 pounds.
Veal production totaled 3.6 million pounds, 15 percent below March a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 18,900 head, down 28 percent from March 2023. The average live weight was up 46 pounds from last year, at 323 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.25 billion pounds, down 10 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.5 million head, down 9 percent from March 2023. The average live weight was down 3 pounds from the previous year, at 289 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 12.3 million pounds, was down 5 percent from March 2023. Sheep slaughter totaled 199,300 head, 3 percent below last year. The average live weight was 122 pounds, down 3 pounds from March a year ago.
January to March 2024 commercial red meat production was 13.7 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2023.
Accumulated beef production was down 4 percent from last year, veal was down 11 percent, pork was up slightly from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 1 percent.
