April 21, 2023

US red meat output in March down 1% year-on-year

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said commercial US red meat production was 4.91 million pounds in March 2023, 1% lower compared to March 2022, Brownfield Ag News reported.

According to the USDA, beef production fell 4% to 2.405 billion pounds, owing to a 3% drop in slaughter to 2.938 million head and an 18-pound drop in average live weight to 1,366 pounds.

US dairy cattle slaughter was 306,100 head, up 36,900 from the previous month and 8,900 from the previous year, with the 2023 total at 870,400 head, up 45,800 from the previous year.

US pork production was 4.488 billion pounds, a 1% increase over the previous year, with a 2% increase in slaughter at 11.464 million head cancelling out a 1 pound loss in average live weight to 292 pounds.

To date in 2023, commercial US red meat production is at 13.937 billion pounds, slightly behind last year's pace, with beef down 3% and pork up 2%.

The USDA will release its next set of annual meat production estimates on May 12, 2023.

-      Brownfield Ag News