USDA Livestock Slaughter

Commercial Veal Production Continues Trend of Monthly Record Lows

October 2014 contained 23 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
October 2015 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 5 Saturdays.

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.31 billion pounds in October, down slightly from the 4.32 billion pounds produced in October 2014.

Beef production, at 2.13 billion pounds, was 2 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.51 million head, down 5 percent from October 2014. The average live weight was up 35 pounds from the previous year, at 1,390 pounds.

Veal production totaled 7.2 million pounds, 7 percent below October a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 40,300 head, down 7 percent from October 2014. The average live weight was up 1 pound from last year, at 305 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.17 billion pounds, up 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.25 million head, up 3 percent from October 2014. The average live weight was down 3 pounds from the previous year, at 283 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.0 million pounds, was down 11 percent from October 2014. Sheep slaughter totaled 186,300 head, 10 percent below last year. The average live weight was 129 pounds, unchanged from October a year ago.

January to October 2015 commercial red meat production was 40.1 billion pounds, up 2 percent from 2014. Accumulated beef production was down 3 percent from last year, veal was down 15 percent, pork was up 7 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 4 percent.

Source: USDA