Commercial Red Meat Production for the United States Up 1 Percent
- May 2023 contained 23 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
- May 2024 contained 23 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.62 billion pounds in May, up 1 percent from the 4.59 billion pounds produced in May 2023.
Beef production, at 2.33 billion pounds, was 1 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.75 million head, down 3 percent from May 2023. The average live weight was up 46 pounds from the previous year, at 1,395 pounds.
Veal production totaled 3.5 million pounds, 16 percent below May a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 17,700 head, down 27 percent from May 2023. The average live weight was up 42 pounds from last year, at 335 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.28 billion pounds, up slightly from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.6 million head, down slightly from May 2023. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 290 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 11.5 million pounds, was up slightly from May 2023. Sheep slaughter totaled 187,000 head, slightly above last year. The average live weight was 121 pounds, unchanged from May a year ago.
January to May 2024 commercial red meat production was 23.0 billion pounds, up 1 percent from 2023.
Accumulated beef production was down slightly from last year, veal was down 11 percent, pork was up 2 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 1 percent.
