News  Agriculture  Livestock

March Red Meat Output Rises on Stronger Pork

March pork gains lifted total meat production, but first-quarter output still ran below last year.

April 29, 2026 07:00 AM • 
Tony St. James, Marion Kirkpatrick
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Catherine Manterola (FarmHER Season 2, Ep. 1)

FarmHER, Inc.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — U.S. commercial red meat production rose in March as a stronger pork run more than offset lower beef output. March production reached 4.51 billion pounds, up 2 percent from a year earlier.

Pork production totaled 2.40 billion pounds, up 7 percent from March 2025. Hog slaughter rose 6 percent to 11.0 million head, while average live weight edged up 1 pound to 292 pounds.

Beef production moved the other way. Output totaled 2.10 billion pounds, down 3 percent from a year ago. Cattle slaughter fell 6 percent to 2.34 million head, but average live weight climbed 45 pounds to 1,471 pounds.

Other species were lower as well. Veal production fell 16 percent, with calf slaughter down 23 percent. Lamb and mutton production dropped 6 percent, and sheep slaughter slipped 1 percent from last year.

For the first quarter, commercial red meat production totaled 13.2 billion pounds, down 2 percent from 2025 as lower beef output continued to weigh on the total.

Farm-Level Takeaway: March pork gains lifted total meat production, but first-quarter output still ran below last year.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
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Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

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