LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER – MARCH 2019UNITED STATES HIGHLIGHTS
Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.43 billion pounds in March, down 2 percent from the 4.52 billion pounds produced in March 2018.
Beef production, at 2.12 billion pounds, was 4 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.65 million head, down 2 percent from March 2018. The average live weight was down 19 pounds from the previous year, at 1,339
pounds.
Veal production totaled 5.8 million pounds, 5 percent below March a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 45,800 head, up 5 percent from March 2018. The average live weight was down 21 pounds from last year, at 219 pounds.
Pork production totaled 2.30 billion pounds, up slightly from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.7 million head, up slightly from March 2018. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 287 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production, at 13.0 million pounds, was down 8 percent from March 2018. Sheep slaughter totaled 190,700 head, 5 percent below last year. The average live weight was 137 pounds, down 3 pounds from March a year ago.
January to March 2019 commercial red meat production was 13.3 billion pounds, up 1 percent from 2018. Accumulated beef production was down 1 percent from last year, veal was down slightly, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 5 percent.
For a full copy of the Livestock Slaughter report please visit www.nass.usda.gov. For state specific questions please contact:
Arizona – Dave DeWalt 1-800-645-7286
Colorado – William R. Meyer 1-800-392-3202
Montana – Eric Sommer 1-800-835-2612
New Mexico – Longino Bustillo 1-800-530-8810
Utah – John Hilton 1-800-747-8522
Wyoming– Rhonda Brandt 1-800-892-1660