January Livestock Slaughter Report...
Released by USDA on January 25, 2024
Commercial red meat production up 2%; Beef production down 2%
- December 2022 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays.
- December 2023 contained 21 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.55 billion pounds in December, up 2 percent from the 4.47 billion pounds produced in December 2022.
Beef production, at 2.19 billion pounds, was 2 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.59 million head, down 3 percent from December 2022. The average live weight was up 17 pounds from the previous year, at 1,401 pounds.
Veal production totaled 3.9 million pounds, 14 percent below December a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 22,500 head, down 32 percent from December 2022. The average live weight was up 56 pounds from last year, at 293 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.34 billion pounds, up 5 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.8 million head, up 5 percent from December 2022. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 291 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 10.7 million pounds, was down 3 percent from December 2022. Sheep slaughter totaled 182,400 head, 2 percent above last year. The average live weight was 115 pounds, down 7 pounds from December a year ago.
January to December 2023 commercial red meat production was 54.4 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2022.
Accumulated beef production was down 5 percent from last year, veal was down 11 percent, pork was up 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 1 percent.
