July 29, 2024

US' commercial red meat output fell 6% in June this year

Commercial US red meat production was down 6% from June 2023 to June 2024.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said that year-to-year decline in production to 4.268 billion pounds was with a 9% drop in beef and a 4% decrease for pork as slower slaughter paces more than canceled out higher average live weights.

Beef totaled 2.136 billion pounds, with a slaughter of 2.541 million head, down 12%, and an average live weight of 1,382 pounds, up 44 pounds. Pork totaled 2.118 billion pounds, with a slaughter of 9.915 million head, 5% lower, and an average live weight of 287 pounds, three pounds higher.

The year-to-year fall in the cattle slaughter included lower totals for all types of cows and heifers. The USDA said dairy cow slaughter for June was 186,400 head, down 29,600 on the month and 69,300 on the year, with the year to date total at 1.388 million head, 230,700 behind 2023.

For 2024 to date, commercial red meat production is 27.222 billion pounds, slightly behind 2023.

- Brownfield