August 27, 2024

Commercial red meat production in US rose 10% in July 2024 year-on-year

US commercial red meat production in July was up sharply on the year.

The US Department of Agriculture said the total of 4.554 billion pounds was 10% above the year before, with beef and pork production both climbing on faster slaughter paces, the ample ready numbers, and heavier average weights. The total included 2.287 billion pounds of beef and 2.253 billion pounds of pork.

For cattle, the slaughter of 2.722 million head was 5% higher and the average live weight of 1,380 pounds was 36 heavier. For hogs, the slaughter of 10.68 million head was an increase of 11%, with the average live weight of 283 pounds, a gain of 2.

Steer, heifer, bull, barrow and gilt, and boar slaughter rates were up on the year.

The dairy cow slaughter in July 2024 was 225,900 head, up 39,500 head from June but down 18,300 from July 2023, with the year to date slaughter at 1.614 million head, 249,100 slower than the year before.

For 2024 to date, commercial red meat production is 31.775 billion pounds, 1% faster than 2023, with a 2% gain in pork canceling out a slight decline in beef.

- Brownfield