The USDA forecasts beef production in the US to increase to 26.5 billion pounds this year, up from the previous forecast of 26 billion pounds, due to faster cattle slaughter rates and a temporal shift in fed cattle sales. However, milk production is expected to be lower than previously forecasted at 228.3 billion pounds, down by 900 million pounds, due to lower dairy cow stocks and high feed costs. Pork production in January was better than expected, but the industry has reduced prepared weights, resulting in a reduced production forecast for the first quarter of the year.