October 21, 2022

USDA: 2022 marks most beef produced for a September period, pork output down slightly

More beef was produced in the United States in September this year than any other Septembers on record, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said.

Beef production was 2.391 billion pounds, up 4% from September 2021, with a 4% increase in the slaughter to 2.898 million heads canceling out a one pound loss in the average live weight to 1,364 pounds.

The dairy cow slaughter was 260,500 heads, down 5,600 from August and 4,100 from September 2021. The year-to-date dairy cow slaughter is 2,277,300 head, 59,800 less than this time last year.

Pork production was 2.259 billion pounds, down slightly on the year, with the slighter 1% lower at 10.659 million head and the average live weight two pounds heavier at 285 pounds.

September's red meat production totaled 4.665 billion pounds, 2% higher, with year-to-date production at 41.452 billion pounds, slightly ahead of the year ago pace.

- Brownfield Ag News