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USDA: record March red meat, beef production

The USDA says March 2021 red meat production was record large, led by an all-time monthly high for beef.

Beef production was 2.481 billion pounds, up 3% on the year, with a 3% increase in slaughter to 3.006 million head and a four pound gain in the average live weight at 1,387 pounds.

Pork production was 2.548 billion pounds, 1% less than a year ago, with a 2% decrease in processing to 11.740 million head cancelling out a three pound gain for the average live weight at 291 pounds.

March red meat production was 5.048 billion pounds, 1% more than last year, with year to date production at 14.236 billion pounds, 1% behind 2020’s record pace.

The dairy cow slaughter during March 2021 was 302,200 head, up 37,000 on the month and 14,200 on the year. The year to date slaughter is 844,700 head, 7,800 behind the 2020 pace.

The USDA’s next set of 2021 red meat production projections is out May 12^th in the monthly supply and demand report.