News

Record November red meat, beef production

The USDA says red meat and beef production for November were record large.

Beef was reported at 2.379 billion pounds, 5% above a year ago, with a 6% increase in slaughter to 2.858 million head canceling out a five-pound decrease in the average live weight to 1,382 pounds.

Pork came out at 2.409 billion pounds, slightly higher, with the slaughter up 1% at 11.137 million head and the average live weight down three pounds to 291 pounds.

Red meat production for November totaled 4.805 billion pounds, a year-to-year rise of 2%, with the year-to-date total at 51.019 billion pounds, slightly ahead of 2020’s record pace.