October Livestock Slaughter Report...
Released by USDA on October 21st
September Beef Production Down 2 Percent from Last Year
- September 2020 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
- September 2021 contained 22 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.58 billion pounds in September, down 3 percent from the 4.71 billion pounds produced in September 2020.
- Beef production, at 2.30 billion pounds, was 2 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.79 million head, down 1 percent from September 2020. The average live weight was down 14 pounds from the previous year, at 1,365 pounds.
- Veal production totaled 4.4 million pounds, 10 percent below September a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 34,100 head, up 5 percent from September 2020. The average live weight was down 37 pounds from last year, at 224 pounds.
- Pork production totaled 2.27 billion pounds, down 3 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.8 million head, down 2 percent from September 2020. The average live weight was down 2 pounds from the previous year, at 283 pounds.
- Lamb and mutton production, at 10.7 million pounds, was down 2 percent from September 2020. Sheep slaughter totaled 184,200 head, slightly below last year. The average live weight was 116 pounds, down 2 pounds from September a year ago.
January to September 2021 commercial red meat production was 41.5 billion pounds, up 1 percent from 2020.
Accumulated beef production was up 4 percent from last year, veal was down 20 percent, pork was down 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 2 percent.
