The USDA says commercial red meat production during July 2021 was 4.383 billion pounds, down 9% from July 2020, when producers and processing facilities were clearing backlogs created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beef was reported at 2.319 billion pounds, 4% lower, with the slaughter down 2% at 2.85 million head and the average live weight 14 pounds lighter at 1,349 pounds.
The dairy cow slaughter for July 2021 was 247,900 head, up 10,400 from June and 14,200 from July 2020.
