Monthly Livestock Slaughter Report...
Released by USDA on June 23, 2022
Total Red Meat Production Up 4 Percent from Last May
- May 2021 contained 21 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays.
- May 2022 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.48 billion pounds in May, up 4 percent from the 4.30 billion pounds produced in May 2021.
- Beef production, at 2.29 billion pounds, was 3 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.81 million head, up 4 percent from May 2021. The average live weight was down 9 pounds from the previous year, at 1,351 pounds.
- Veal production totaled 4.4 million pounds, 22 percent above May a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 27,400 head, up 8 percent from May 2021. The average live weight was up 30 pounds from last year, at 279 pounds.
- Pork production totaled 2.18 billion pounds, up 5 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.0 million head, up 4 percent from May 2021. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 291 pounds.
- Lamb and mutton production, at 10.8 million pounds, was down 3 percent from May 2021. Sheep slaughter totaled 164,300 head, 10 percent below last year. The average live weight was 130 pounds, up 9 pounds from May a year ago.
January to May 2022 commercial red meat production was 23.0 billion pounds, down 1 percent from 2021.
Accumulated beef production was up 2 percent from last year, veal was up 3 percent, pork was down 4 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 9 percent.
