July Livestock Slaughter Report: Red Meat Production Down 6 Percent from Last Year
- June 2023 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
- June 2024 contained 20 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.27 billion pounds in June, down 6 percent from the 4.55 billion pounds produced in June 2023.
Beef production, at 2.14 billion pounds, was 9 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.54 million head, down 12 percent from June 2023. The average live weight was up 44 pounds from the previous year, at 1,382 pounds.
Veal production totaled 3.1 million pounds, 21 percent below June a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 15,800 head, down 33 percent from June 2023. The average live weight was up 48 pounds from last year, at 331 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.12 billion pounds, down 4 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.92 million head, down 5 percent from June 2023. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 287 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 10.4 million pounds, was down 6 percent from June 2023. Sheep slaughter totaled 176,700 head, 2 percent below last year. The average live weight was 116 pounds, down 5 pounds from June a year ago.
January to June 2024 commercial red meat production was 27.2 billion pounds, down slightly from 2023.
Accumulated beef production was down 2 percent from last year, veal was down 12 percent, pork was up 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up slightly.
