Pork and overall red meat production hit record highs for the month during February as packers continue their efforts to meet expected domestic and export demand.
The USDA says pork production was 2.306 billion pounds, up 6% from February 2019, with a 6% increase in the slaughter to 10.722 million head and 1 pound gain for the average live weight at 288 pounds.
Beef was pegged at 2.131 billion pounds, 7% above a year ago, with a 5% rise in the slaughter at 2.578 million head and a 24 pound jump in the average live weight to 1,376 pounds.