Source:  Michael Fielding, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 5/23/22
 

Even as animal weights continue to climb, production of beef and pork has decreased. This, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service in its latest livestock slaughter report, available for download here.

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.87 billion pounds in April, down 4 percent from the 4.01 billion pounds produced in April 2010 (which contained one more week day and one fewer Saturday than in April 2011).

Beef production, at 2.05 billion pounds, was 4 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.72 million head, down 4 percent from April 2010. The average live weight was up 4 pounds from the previous year, at 1,257 pounds.

Similarly, pork production totaled 1.79 billion pounds, down 3 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 8.63 million head, down 5 percent from April 2010. The average live weight was up 4 pounds from the previous year, at 277 pounds.

Meanwhile, veal production totaled 10.2 million pounds, 8 percent below April a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 58,900 head, down 14 percent from April 2010. The average live weight was up 21 pounds from last year, at 296 pounds.

Commercial red meat production from January to April 2011 was 16.1 billion pounds, up 1 percent from 2010. Accumulated beef production was up 1 percent from last year, veal was down 4 percent, pork was up 1 percent, and lamb and mutton production down 10 percent.

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