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Red meat production drops during July

The USDA says commercial red meat production during July 2021 was 4.383 billion pounds, down 9% from July 2020, when producers and processing facilities were clearing backlogs created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beef was reported at 2.319 billion pounds, 4% lower, with the slaughter down 2% at 2.85 million head and the average live weight 14 pounds lighter at 1,349 pounds.

The dairy cow slaughter for July 2021 was 247,900 head, up 10,400 from June and 14,200 from July 2020. The year-to-date slaughter of 1.811 million head is 14,900 behind the 2020 pace.

Pork production was 2.05 billion pounds, a drop of 14% on the year, with the slaughter declining 13% to 9.791 million head and the average live weight 2 pounds lower at 281 pounds.

The USDA says veal, lamb, and mutton production were record monthly lows.

For the year to date, commercial red meat production is 32.291 billion pounds, 2% ahead of 2020’s pace, with a 5% increase in beef cancelling out a 2% decrease for pork.

The USDA’s cold storage numbers for July are out Monday at 3 Eastern/2 Central.

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