Released by USDA on March 21, 2024
Record High Commercial Red Meat and Pork Production in February
- February 2023 contained 20 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
- February 2024 contained 21 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.55 billion pounds in February, up 7 percent from the 4.26 billion pounds produced in February 2023.
Beef production, at 2.17 billion pounds, was 4 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.61 million head, up 3 percent from February 2023. The average live weight was up 10 pounds from the previous year, at 1,384 pounds.
Veal production totaled 3.6 million pounds, 6 percent below February a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 19,600 head, down 24 percent from February 2023. The average live weight was up 57 pounds from last year, at 312 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.37 billion pounds, up 10 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 11.0 million head, up 10 percent from February 2023. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 290 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 10.9 million pounds, was up 8 percent from February 2023. Sheep slaughter totaled 171,800 head, 11 percent above last year. The average live weight was 124 pounds, down 5 pounds from February a year ago.
January to February 2024 commercial red meat production was 9.32 billion pounds, up 3 percent from 2023. Accumulated beef production was up 1 percent from last year, veal was down 9 percent, pork was up 6 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 6 percent.
