News

USDA: record red meat production in April

The USDA says red meat production during April was a record monthly high at 4.552 billion pounds. That’s an increase of 6% on the year and includes all-time monthly highs for pork and beef.

Beef came out at 2.262 billion pounds, 7% more than last year, with a 7% increase in the slaughter at 2.829 million head canceling out a six pound loss in the average live weight to 1,328 pounds.

Pork was pegged at 2.269 billion pounds, up 6%, with a 6% rise in the monthly kill to 10.583 million head and the average live weight unchanged at 287 pounds.

At 17.859 billion pounds, 2019 red meat production is 2% ahead of 2018’s record pace.