News

USDA: August pork, beef production down on year

The USDA says commercial red meat production during August was down 2% on the year at 4.65 billion pounds.

Beef production was 2% lower than a year ago at 2.374 billion pounds, with a 2% decline in the monthly slaughter to 2.926 million head and six pound loss for the average live weight at 1,338 pounds.

Pork was reported at 2.258 billion pounds, down 3%, with the kill also 3% lower at 10.867 million head, cancelling out a one pound gain in the average live weight to 279 pounds.

For the year to date, U.S. commercial red meat production is 35.721 billion pounds, 2% ahead of 2018’s record pace.

The USDA’s Cold Storage report for August is out Monday, September 23rd at 3 Eastern/2 Central.