October Livestock Slaughter Report...
Released by USDA on October 19, 2023
United State Red Meat Production Down in September
- September 2022 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
- September 2023 contained 21 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.35 billion pounds in September, down 7 percent from the 4.66 billion pounds produced in September 2022.
Beef production, at 2.15 billion pounds, was 10 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.61 million head, down 10 percent from September 2022. The average live weight was down 2 pounds from the previous year, at 1,362 pounds.
Veal production totaled 3.6 million pounds, 15 percent below September a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 21,700 head, down 31 percent from September 2022. The average live weight was up 50 pounds from last year, at 287 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.19 billion pounds, down 3 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.5 million head, down 2 percent from September 2022. The average live weight was down 4 pounds from the previous year, at 281 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 10.2 million pounds, was down 6 percent from September 2022. Sheep slaughter totaled 173,800 head, 1 percent above last year. The average live weight was 116 pounds, down 9 pounds from September a year ago.
January to September 2023 commercial red meat production was 40.4 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2022.
Accumulated beef production was down 5 percent from last year, veal was down 12 percent, pork was up slightly from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 3 percent.
