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.

28 April 2009

2 minute read

North America

March Pork Production at Record High

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.14 billion pounds in March, up 1 percent from the 4.09 billion pounds produced in March 2008.

Beef production, at 2.14 billion pounds, was 2 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.73 million head, up slightly from March 2008. The average live weight was up 29 pounds from the previous year, at 1,305 pounds.

Veal production totaled 12.2 million pounds, 8 percent above March a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 79,800 head, up 12 percent from March 2008. The average live weight was down 10 pounds from last year, at 263 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.97 billion pounds, up slightly from the previous year. Hog kill totaled 9.65 million head, down slightly from March 2008. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 272 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 15.9 million pounds, was down slightly from March 2008. Sheep slaughter totaled 222,000 head, 4 percent below last year. The average live weight was 143 pounds, up 4 pounds from March a year ago.

January to March 2009 commercial red meat production was 12.1 billion pounds, down 3 percent from 2008. Accumulated beef production was down 2 percent from last year, veal was up 5 percent, pork was down 4 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 8 percent.