May Livestock Slaughter Report...
Released by USDA on May 25, 2023
Total Red Meat Production Down 8% in April; Beef Production Down 11%
- April 2022 contained 21 weekdays (including 0 holidays) and 5 Saturdays.
- April 2023 contained 20 weekdays (including 0 holidays) and 5 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.20 billion pounds in April, down 8 percent from the 4.54 billion pounds produced in April 2022.
Beef production, at 2.07 billion pounds, was 11 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.54 million head, down 10 percent from April 2022. The average live weight was down 19 pounds from the previous year, at 1,354 pounds.
Veal production totaled 3.6 million pounds, 21 percent below April a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 21,900 head, down 22 percent from April 2022. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from last year, at 280 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.12 billion pounds, down 4 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.77 million head, down 3 percent from April 2022. The average live weight was down 2 pounds from the previous year, at 291 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 11.0 million pounds, was down 11 percent from April 2022. Sheep slaughter totaled 185,900 head, 6 percent below last year. The average live weight was 117 pounds, down 6 pounds from April a year ago.
- January to April 2023 commercial red meat production was 18.1 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2022.
- Accumulated beef production was down 5 percent from last year, veal was down 13 percent, pork was up 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up slightly.
