Domestic red meat production during December was up on the year.
The USDA says production was 4.546 billion pounds, 2% more than December 2022, due to heavier weights for cattle and a faster slaughter pace for hogs. Beef production was 2% higher at 2.19 billion pounds, while pork climbed 5% to 2.388 billion pounds.
Cow and heifer slaughter levels were below both the previous month and year, while all categories of hogs slaughtered were above a year ago.
