U.S. red meat production falls as slaughter slows

U.S. commercial red meat production for October came in at 4.89 billion pounds, a 3% dip from the 5.02 billion pounds produced in October 2024, according to the latest data released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. During National Pork Month, pork production totaled 2.55 billion pounds, up 0.35% from the year prior.

Commercial hog slaughter cut back to 11.8 million head, a 1% decrease from the same period last year. However, average live weight was up 3 pounds, at 290.

Iowa hog slaughter in October inched 0.42% higher from the year prior at 3.66 million head, while Illinois dropped 4.22% to 1.1 million head and Minnesota decreased slaughter levels by 1.3% to 1.074 million head.

Federal inspected hog slaughter was down 0.68% at 11.772 million head. Of that total, 11.489 million were barrows and gilts, 261,000 were sows and 21,000 were boars.

Meanwhile beef production, at 2.33 billion pounds, dropped 6% in October from the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.63 million head, an 8% reduction, while average live weight was up 30 pounds from the previous year, at 1,448 pounds.

Veal production totaled 2.0 million pounds, 39% below figures a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 9,600 head, down 44% from October 2024. The average live weight was up 29 pounds from last year, at 358 pounds.