NASHVILLE, TN – U.S. commercial red meat production in June totaled 4.22 billion pounds, down 1% from June 2024, according to USDA’s Monthly Livestock Slaughter Report released Thursday. The month included one additional weekday and one fewer Saturday than the same month last year, which can influence processing totals.
Beef production came in at 2.09 billion pounds, down 2% from a year earlier. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.43 million head, 4% lower than June 2024, although average live weights rose by 26 pounds to 1,408 pounds.
Veal production fell sharply to 2.0 million pounds, a 34% decline. Calf slaughter dropped 39%, while average live weights climbed by 27 pounds to 358 pounds.
Pork production rose slightly to 2.12 billion pounds. Hog slaughter totaled 9.97 million head, up 1%, though average live weights were down a pound at 286 pounds.
Lamb and mutton production totaled 11.6 million pounds, a 12% year-over-year increase. Sheep slaughter was up 7% with a 5-pound gain in average weights.
For the first half of 2025, total red meat production reached 26.7 billion pounds, down 2% from the same period last year.