February USDA Livestock Slaughter Report...

  • February 2024 contained 21 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
  • February 2025 contained 20 weekdays (including 1 holiday) and 4 Saturdays.
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.23 billion pounds in February, down 7 percent from the 4.55 billion pounds produced in February 2024.
  • Beef production, at 2.02 billion pounds, was 7 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.32 million head, down 11 percent from February 2024. The average live weight was up 48 pounds from the previous year, at 1,432 pounds.
  • Veal production totaled 2.0 million pounds, 43 percent below February a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 11,200 head, down 43 percent from February 2024. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from last year, at 314 pounds.
  • Pork production totaled 2.20 billion pounds, down 7 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.2 million head, down 7 percent from February 2024. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 291 pounds.
  • Lamb and mutton production, at 10.5 million pounds, was down 3 percent from February 2024. Sheep slaughter totaled 169,000 head, 2 percent below last year. The average live weight was 123 pounds, down 1 pound from February a year ago.
January to February 2025 commercial red meat production was 9.12 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2024.
Accumulated beef production was down 1 percent from last year, veal was down 40 percent, pork was down 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down slightly.

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