April Livestock Slaughter Report...
Released by USDA on April 20, 2023
Red Meat Production Down 1 Percent from Last Year
Beef production, at 2.40 billion pounds, was 4 percent below the previous year.
- March 2022 contained 23 weekdays (including 0 holidays) and 4 Saturdays.
- March 2023 contained 23 weekdays (including 0 holidays) and 4 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.91 billion pounds in March, down 1 percent from the 4.98 billion pounds produced in March 2022.
Beef production, at 2.40 billion pounds, was 4 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.94 million head, down 3 percent from March 2022. The average live weight was down 18 pounds from the previous year, at 1,366 pounds.
Veal production totaled 4.2 million pounds, 15 percent below March a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 26,200 head, down 20 percent from March 2022. The average live weight was up 15 pounds from last year, at 277 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.49 billion pounds, up 1 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 11.5 million head, up 2 percent from March 2022. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 292 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 12.7 million pounds, was up 3 percent from March 2022. Sheep slaughter totaled 198,800 head, 6 percent above last year. The average live weight was 126 pounds, down 4 pounds from March a year ago.
- January to March 2023 commercial red meat production was 13.9 billion pounds, down slightly from 2022.
- Accumulated beef production was down 3 percent from last year, veal was down 10 percent, pork was up 2 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 5 percent.
