Beef production, at 2.30 billion pounds, was 4 percent above the previous year. Pork Production at Record High for December
- December 2024 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
- December 2025 contained 23 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.83 billion pounds in December, up 6 percent from the 4.54 billion pounds produced in December 2024.
Beef production, at 2.30 billion pounds, was 4 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.58 million head, up 2 percent from December 2024. The average live weight was up 32 pounds from the previous year, at 1,463 pounds.
Veal production totaled 2.1 million pounds, 31 percent below December a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 11,000 head, down 32 percent from December 2024. The average live weight was up 6 pounds from last year, at 334 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.52 billion pounds, up 8 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 11.5 million head, up 7 percent from December 2024. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from the previous year, at 293 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 12.4 million pounds, was up 3 percent from December 2024. Sheep slaughter totaled 217,300 head, 7 percent above last year. The average live weight was 112 pounds, down 5 pounds from December a year ago.
January to December 2025 commercial red meat production was 53.7 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2024.
Accumulated beef production was down 4 percent from last year, veal was down 38 percent, pork was down 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up slightly.
