USDA: October red meat output drops amid slower cattle and hog slaughter rates

U.S. commercial red meat production declined year-over-year in October.

The USDA says the total of 4.892 billion pounds was 3% lower than last year, with slower cattle and hog slaughter paces due to tight ready numbers more than canceling out heavier average weights.

Commercial beef production for October was 2.326 billion pounds, a decrease of 6%, with a slaughter of 2.465 million head, falling 8%, and an average live weight of 1,448 pounds, a gain of 30. Commercial pork production was 2.552 billion pounds, dropping 8%, with a slaughter of 11.826 million head, dipping 1%, and an average live weight of 290 pounds, up 3.

For the first 10 months of 2025, U.S. red meat production is 44.643 billion pounds, 3% less than this point in 2024, with cumulative beef production 4% slower at 21.681 billion pounds and pork down 1% at 22.829 billion pounds.