News

Red meat production up in May

Domestic commercial red meat production during May was 4.485 billion pounds, 4% more than in May 2021.

The USDA says beef production was 2.288 billion pounds, 3% higher, with a 4% increase in the slaughter rate canceling out a nine-pound decrease for the average live weight.

The dairy cow slaughter was 225,200 head, 12,600 less than in April, but 1,800 more than May 2021. The year-to-date dairy cow slaughter is 1.288 million head, 38,000 slower than last year’s pace.

Pork came out at 2.182 billion pounds, a jump of 5% on the year, with slaughter rising 4% and the average live weight gaining three pounds.

For the first five months of 2022, U.S. commercial red meat production is 22.756 billion pounds, 1% behind the 2021 pace.

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  Is the slaughter rate up and the weight down because it’s getting expensive to feed beef cattle? If so, this would indicate that farmers are getting rid of cattle now, which would lead to a reduction in beef later.

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    Thanks Oliver! That’s exactly the pattern we’ve been seeing over the last few months. Most signs are pointing to tighter supplies down the road.

    John Perkins
    Brownfield Commodity Market Reporter

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