USDA Total Red Meat Under Fed Inspct 08/28 13:21
08/28/2026 | 1:21 pm CDT USDA Total Red Meat Under Fed Inspct 08/28 13:21
SJ_LS712 **Correction to Week to Date Hog Slaughter**
St Joseph, MO Fri Aug 28, 2026 USDA Market News
Estimated Weekly Meat Production Under Federal Inspection
Total red meat production under Federal inspection for the week
ending Saturday, August 29, 2026 was estimated at 985.2 million lbs.
according to the U.S.Department of Agriculture's Marketing Service.
This was 1.9 percent higher than a week ago and 1.2 percent lower
than a year ago. Cumulative meat production for the year to date was
2.5 percent lower compared to the previous year.
Meat Production (millions of pounds)
(excludes condemned)
Week Ending Beef Calf/Veal Pork (2) Lamb/Mutton Totals (3)
29-Aug-26 478.8 1.0 503.4 2.0 985.2
22-Aug-26 461.8 1.0 502.2 1.9 966.9
Change: 3.7% 0.0% 0.2% 5.3% 1.9%
30-Aug-25 494.1 0.4 500.8 2.2 997.5
Change: -3.1% 150.0% 0.5% -9.1% -1.2%
2026 YTD 16019.4 12.9 17928.7 74.0 34035.0
2025 YTD 16934.6 16.2 17861.7 81.0 34893.5
Change: -5.4% -20.3% 0.4% -8.6% -2.5%
(1)Previous week estimates may be revised. Year ago data are actuals.
(2) Excludes lard. (3) Totals may not add due to rounding.
2026 totals are subject to revision
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Livestock Slaughter (head)
Week Ending Cattle Calves/Vealer Hogs Sheep/Lambs
29-Aug-26 542,000 5,000 2,377,000 35,000
22-Aug-26 523,000 5,000 2,366,000 34,000
Change: 3.6% 0.0% 0.5% 2.9%
30-Aug-25 567,000 2,000 2,387,000 37,000
Change: -4.4% 150.0% -0.4% -5.4%
2026 YTD 17,945,000 63,000 82,656,000 1,237,000
2025 YTD 19,477,000 81,000 83,227,000 1,285,000
Change: -7.9% -22.4% -0.7% -3.8%
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Average Weights (lbs)
Week Ending Live: Cattle Calves/Vealers Hogs Sheep/Lambs
29-Aug-26 Estimate 1438 371 284 110
22-Aug-26 Estimate 1437 376 285 111
30-Aug-25 Actual 1420 347 281 114
Dressed:
29-Aug-26 Estimate 885 219 212 56
22-Aug-26 Estimate 885 222 212 57
30-Aug-25 Actual 874 205 210 58
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Percentage of Total Cattle Slaughtered by Class
Week Ending Steers Heifers Cows Bulls
15-Aug-26 53.9% 28.0% 16.6% 1.5%
16-Aug-25 51.1% 30.1% 17.0% 1.7%
Percentage of Total Hogs Slaughtered by Class
Week Ending Barrows & Gilts Sows Boars
15-Aug-26 97.6% 2.2% 0.2%
16-Aug-25 97.6% 2.2% 0.2%
*2025 slaughter totals adjusted to reflect NASS revisions
Source: USDA Livestock, Poultry, and Grain Market News Division, St Joseph, MO
816-676-7000 e-mail: stjoe.lpgmn@ams.usda.gov
www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/SJ_LS710.txt
www.ams.usda.gov/market-news/livestock-poultry-grain
1300C
[0600059D]