May Beef production was 9 percent below the previous year with cattle slaughter down 11 percent.
- May 2024 contained 23 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
- May 2025 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.38 billion pounds in May, down 5 percent from the4.62 billion pounds produced in May 2024.
Beef production, at 2.12 billion pounds, was 9 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.45 million head, down 11 percent from May 2024. The average live weight was up 27 pounds from the previous year, at 1,422 pounds.
Veal production totaled 2.2 million pounds, 37 percent below May a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 10,400 head, down 41 percent from May 2024. The average live weight was up 26 pounds from last year, at 362 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.24 billion pounds, down 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.4 million head, down 2 percent from May 2024. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 289 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 11.5 million pounds, was up slightly from May 2024. Sheep slaughter totaled 186,200 head, slightly below last year. The average live weight was 122 pounds, up 1 pound from May a year ago.
January to May 2025 commercial red meat production was 22.5 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2024.
Accumulated beef production was down 2 percent from last year, veal was down 39 percent, pork was down 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 3 percent.
