December Livestock Slaughter Report shows Lower Production

Commercial Red Meat Production Down 7 Percent from Last Year

• November 2024 contained 21 weekdays (including 2 holidays) and 5 Saturdays.
• November 2025 contained 20 weekdays (including 2 holidays) and 5 Saturdays.

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.26 billion pounds in November, down 7 percent from the 4.56 billion pounds produced in November 2024. Beef production, at 2.02 billion pounds, was 9 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.27 million head, down 11 percent from November 2024. The average live weight was up 32 pounds from the previous year, at 1,457 pounds.

Veal production totaled 1.8 million pounds, 40 percent below November a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 9,000 head, down 42 percent from November 2024. The average live weight was up 16 pounds from last year, at 354 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.23 billion pounds, down 4 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.3 million head, down 5 percent from November 2024. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 292 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 9.8 million pounds, was down 6 percent from November 2024. Sheep slaughter totaled 175,100 head, 1 percent above last year. The average live weight was 110 pounds, down 8 pounds from November a year ago.

January to November 2025 commercial red meat production was 48.9 billion pounds, down 3 percent from 2024.

Accumulated beef production was down 4 percent from last year, veal was down 39 percent, pork was down 2 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up slightly.