December Livestock Slaughter Report...
Released by USDA on December 22nd, 2022
Commercial Red Meat Production Down Slightly
- November 2021 contained 22 weekdays (including 2 holidays) and 4 Saturdays.
- November 2022 contained 22 weekdays (including 2 holidays) and 4 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.79 billion pounds in November, down slightly from the 4.81 billion pounds produced in November 2021.
- Beef production, at 2.42 billion pounds, was 2 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.91 million head, up 2 percent from November 2021. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from the previous year, at 1,384 pounds.
- Veal production totaled 4.5 million pounds, 2 percent below November a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 31,200 head, down 6 percent from November 2021. The average live weight was up 9 pounds from last year, at 251 pounds.
- Pork production totaled 2.35 billion pounds, down 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.9 million head, down 2 percent from November 2021. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 290 pounds.
- Lamb and mutton production, at 11.0 million pounds, was down 9 percent from November 2021. Sheep slaughter totaled 178,200 head, 9 percent below last year. The average live weight was 122 pounds, unchanged from November a year ago.
January to November 2022 commercial red meat production was 51.0 billion pounds, down slightly from 2021.
Accumulated beef production was up 2 percent from last year, veal was up 3 percent, pork was down 2 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 5 percent.
