USDA Livestock Slaughter

Pork Production at Record High for July

July 2014 contained 23 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
July 2015 contained 23 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.04 billion pounds in July, up 3 percent from the 3.91 billion pounds produced in July 2014.

Beef production, at 2.05 billion pounds, was 2 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.49 million head, down 4 percent from July 2014. The average live weight was up 26 pounds from the previous year, at 1,346 pounds.

Veal production totaled 6.9 million pounds, 11 percent below July a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 36,500 head, down 25 percent from July 2014. The average live weight was up 47 pounds from last year, at 322 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.97 billion pounds, up 10 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.40 million head, up 11 percent from July 2014. The average live weight was down 3 pounds from the previous year, at 280 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.9 million pounds, was down 7 percent from July 2014. Sheep slaughter totaled 187,100 head, 11 percent below last year. The average live weight was 138 pounds, up 6 pounds from July a year ago.

January to July 2015 commercial red meat production was 27.8 billion pounds, up 1 percent from 2014. Accumulated beef production was down 4 percent from last year, veal was down 18 percent, pork was up 7 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 4 percent.

Source: USDA