WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — U.S. red meat production fell in 2025 as lower cattle and hog slaughter pulled total output below the previous year. Lower slaughter numbers helped tighten supplies even as animal weights moved higher.
USDA said total red meat production reached 53.8 billion pounds in 2025, down 2 percent from 2024. Beef production fell 4 percent to 26.1 billion pounds, while pork slipped 1 percent to 27.6 billion pounds. Lamb and mutton production edged slightly higher.
Commercial cattle slaughter dropped 6 percent to 29.8 million head. Hog slaughter fell 1 percent to 128 million head. Average live weights increased, with cattle up 33 pounds to 1,432 pounds and hogs up 1 pound to 289 pounds.
The packing sector remained concentrated. The 11 largest cattle plants handled 47 percent of total cattle slaughter, while the 15 largest hog plants accounted for 65 percent of hog slaughter.
Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas produced 49 percent of U.S. commercial red meat output in 2025. USDA also reported 1,127 federally inspected slaughter plants at the start of 2026, up from 1,089 a year earlier.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Lower slaughter numbers reduced 2025 red meat output even with heavier cattle and hogs.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
The Farm Bureau urges trade enforcement, biofuel growth, fair input pricing, and pro-farmer policy reforms to restore long-term certainty.
November 05, 2025 11:41 AM
·
The Sheinbaum–Rollins meeting signals progress, but the focus remains on fully containing screwworm before cross-border movement resumes.
November 05, 2025 10:18 AM
·
Wheat futures briefly hit a three-month high before retreating as the markets wait for word on whether the deal will actually happen.
November 04, 2025 12:19 PM
·
Expect modest relief on several produce lines, mixed protein trends into holiday buying, and softer veg-oil costs — a good week to sharpen forward buys selectively.
November 04, 2025 11:29 AM
·
RFD-TV’s farm legal expert, Roger McEowen, digs into the details of both the LRP and the LGM programs, two essential risk management tools for cattle producers.
November 04, 2025 10:34 AM
·
An import lag for ground beef will likely look different than last year’s egg shortage. The difference comes down to biosecurity and market flexibility.
November 03, 2025 12:07 PM
·
