U.S. red meat production during July 2023 was down 2% from July 2022.
The USDA says that total of 4.129 billion pounds followed a 6% drop in beef production to 2.109 billion pounds, which canceled out a 2% rise in pork at 2.007 billion pounds, with both influenced by slaughter rates and the availability of ready numbers. The cattle slaughter was 2.6 million head, while the hog slaughter was 9.616 million head.
Average live weights were higher for cattle, lower for hogs at 1,344 and 281 pounds, respectively.