US Livestock Slaughter Statistics

US - The USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) comment on livestock slaughter statistics such as beef and veal in their monthly Livestock Slaughter Report.

27 May 2009

2 minute read

North America

Commercial Red Meat Production Down From Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.08 billion pounds in April, down five per cent from the 4.30 billion pounds produced in April 2008.

Beef production, at 2.13 billion pounds, was five per cent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totalled 2.77 million head, down six per cent from April 2008. The average live weight was up 17 pounds from the previous year, at 1,276 pounds.

Veal production totaled 11.2 million pounds, six per cent below April a year ago. Calf slaughter totalled 68,000 head, down seven per cent from April 2008. The average live weight was up three pounds from last year, at 281 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.92 billion pounds, down five per cent from the previous year. Hog kill totalled 9.43 million head, down six per cent from April 2008. The average live weight was up three pounds from the previous year, at 272 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 15.5 million pounds, was up one per cent from April 2008. Sheep slaughter totaled 229,100 head, four per cent above last year. The average live weight was 135 pounds, down three pounds from April a year ago.

January to April 2009 commercial red meat production was 16.2 billion pounds, down three per cent from 2008. Accumulated beef production was down three per cent from last year, veal was up two per cent, pork was down four per cent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down six per cent.