August Livestock Slaughter Report...
Released by USDA on August 25, 2022
Red Meat Production Down 3 Percent from Last Year; Beef Production Down 3 Percent
- July 2021 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays.
- July 2022 contained 21 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.23 billion pounds in July, down 3 percent from the 4.38 billion pounds produced in July 2021.
- Beef production, at 2.25 billion pounds, was 3 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.78 million head, down 2 percent from July 2021. The average live weight was down 8 pounds from the previous year, at 1,341 pounds.
- Veal production totaled 4.1 million pounds, 5 percent above July a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 29,500 head, down 12 percent from July 2021. The average live weight was up 38 pounds from last year, at 243 pounds.
- Pork production totaled 1.97 billion pounds, down 4 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.31 million head, down 5 percent from July 2021. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 284 pounds.
- Lamb and mutton production, at 10.3 million pounds, was down 5 percent from July 2021. Sheep slaughter totaled 163,300 head, 14 percent below last year. The average live weight was 126 pounds, up 11 pounds from July a year ago.
January to July 2022 commercial red meat production was 32.0 billion pounds, down 1 percent from 2021.
Accumulated beef production was up 1 percent from last year, veal was up 4 percent, pork was down 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 7 percent.
