News

Red meat production up 1% in May

U.S. red meat was slightly higher in May.

The USDA says commercial red meat production for May was 4.62 billion pounds, 1 percent higher than May of 2023.

Beef production was up 1 percent from the previous year with total cattle slaughter down 3 percent.  The increase came from a 46-pound increase in the average live weights.  Pork production was up slightly from the previous year to 2.28 billion pounds, the decline in hogs slaughtered was offset by a 1-pound increase in average live weights.

Year-to-date, U.S. commercial red meat production is 23 billion pounds, a 1 percent increase over 2023. Accumulated beef production is down slightly, pork production was up 2 percent, and lamb and mutton production was up 1 percent.

The USDA says the dairy cow slaughter for May 2024 was 216,100 head, down 22,100 from April and 33,000 from May 2023.  Dairy cow slaughter, year-to-date is 1,244,400 head, 187,100 slower than the year before.