US should produce more beef and less pork

Beef production in the United States this year is forecast at 26.5 billion pounds, up from the previous forecast of 26 billion pounds, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said in a monthly report. Cattle slaughter rates through early February were faster than expected, offsetting a decline in gains for confined cattle and cows and bulls due to winter weather in parts of the country, the agency said in its monthly outlook report. livestock, dairy and poultry. “A temporal shift in first-quarter fed cattle sales and the prospect of higher cow slaughter more than offset a decline in expected slaughter weights,” the Department of Agriculture said. “Further cattle prices in 2023 are high on firm demand and lighter carcass weights.” Milk production this year is likely to be lower than previously expected amid lower dairy cow stocks, the agency said. Production is projected at 228.3 billion pounds, down 900 million pounds from last month's forecast, led by lower heifer replacement, ...