February 2024 beef and pork production was the largest on record for any February.
The USDA says the total of 4.554 billion pounds was up 7% on the year, with slaughter above year ago levels, helped by the additional business day thanks to the Leap Year.
That did include year-to-year increases for heifer and sow slaughter, in addition to steers and barrows and gilts, while the cow slaughter was slower than last year.
