UNITED STATES HIGHLIGHTS 

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.98 billion pounds in March, down 1 percent from the 5.05 billion pounds produced in March 2021. 

Beef production, at 2.51 billion pounds, was 1 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 3.01 million head, up slightly from March 2021. The average live weight was up 12 pounds from the previous year, at 1,384 pounds. 

Veal production totaled 4.9 million pounds, 1 percent above March a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 32,600 head, up 3 percent from March 2021. The average live weight was down 6 pounds from last year, at 261 pounds. 

Pork production totaled 2.46 billion pounds, down 4 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 11.2 million head, down 4 percent from March 2021. The average live weight was up 2 pounds from the previous year, at 293 pounds. 

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.3 million pounds, was down 12 percent from March 2021. Sheep slaughter totaled 187,300 head, 13 percent below last year. The average live weight was 130 pounds, unchanged from March a year ago. 

January to March 2022 commercial red meat production was 14.0 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2021. Accumulated beef production was up 2 percent from last year, veal was down 3 percent, pork was down 5 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 11 percent.