News

Record pork, red meat production in February

Pork and overall red meat production hit record highs for the month during February as packers continue their efforts to meet expected domestic and export demand.

The USDA says pork production was 2.306 billion pounds, up 6% from February 2019, with a 6% increase in the slaughter to 10.722 million head and 1 pound gain for the average live weight at 288 pounds.

Beef was pegged at 2.131 billion pounds, 7% above a year ago, with a 5% rise in the slaughter at 2.578 million head and a 24 pound jump in the average live weight to 1,376 pounds.

Monthly red meat production totaled 4.453 billion pounds, 7% more than last year, and the year to date total is 9.412 billion pounds, 6% ahead of 2019’s record pace.

February’s dairy cow slaughter was 266,100 head, down 32,400 from January and 12,800 less than in February 2019. The year to date total is 564,600 head, 12,700 behind the year ago pace.

The USDA’s Cold Storage numbers for February are out Monday, March 23rd at 3 Eastern/2 Central.