Skip to content
800-884-8290

|

Client Login

|

Open an Account
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Futures & Options Brokerage
    • Organic Grain Swaps
    • Margin Management
    • Commodity Marketing Education
    • Consulting & Insurance
  • Research
    • Dairy
    • Livestock
    • Grain & Oilseeds
    • Ethanol & Biodiesel
  • Account
  • Quotes
  • Contact Us

U.S. Cattle & Hogs Production Update – May ’20

  • May 22, 2020
  • by Belinda Przybylski
Executive Summary U.S. cattle & hog production figures provided by the USDA were recently updated with values spanning through Apr ’20. Highlights from the updated report include:
  • U.S. commercial red meat production declined 15.1% on a YOY basis during Apr ’20, reaching a 14 year low level, as several major packing plants were closed due to COVID-19. The YOY decline in total red meat production was the first experienced throughout the past eight months and the largest experienced on record.
  • U.S. pork production declined 10.5% on a YOY basis during Apr ’20, declining to a two and a half year low level. The total number of hogs slaughtered declined 11.1% YOY throughout the month, more than offsetting a 0.9% increase in average weights/head.
  • U.S. beef production declined 19.7% on a YOY basis during Apr ’20, reaching a 27 year low level. The total number of cattle slaughtered declined 20.9% YOY throughout the month, more than offsetting a 0.4% increase in average weights/head.
Additional Report Details Total Red Meat – Production Declines to a 14 Year Low Level, Finishes Down 15.1% YOY According to the USDA, Apr ’20 U.S. commercial red meat declined 22.7% from the previous month, finishing 11.7% lower on a YOY basis when normalizing for slaughter days and reaching a 14 year low level, overall. Red meat production was reduced significantly as several major packing plants were closed due to COVID-19. The YOY decline in total red meat production was the first experienced throughout the past eight months and the largest experienced on record. The MOM decline in total red meat production of 22.7% was significantly larger than the ten year average March – April seasonal decline of 1.0%. ’18-’19 annual red meat production increased 2.2% on a YOY basis, finishing at a record high level, while ’19-’20 YTD red meat production has increased by an additional 2.6% throughout the first seven months of the production season, despite the most recent decline. Total 12-month rolling average red meat production remained above trendline for the 32nd consecutive month throughout Apr ’20, although the Apr ’20 deviation from trendline declined from the record high level experienced throughout the previous month. Pork – Production Declines to a Two and a Half Year Low Level, Finishes Down 10.5% YOY Apr ’20 U.S. pork production declined 20.9% from the previous month, finishing 10.5% lower on a YOY basis when normalizing for slaughter days and reaching a two and a half year low level, overall. The YOY decline in pork production was the first experienced throughout the past eight months and the largest experienced throughout the past 23 years on a percentage basis. The Apr ’20 total number of hogs slaughtered declined 11.1% YOY throughout the month, more than offsetting a 0.9% increase in average weights/head. The MOM decline in pork production of 20.9% was significantly larger than the ten year average March – April seasonal decline of 2.4%. ’18-’19 annual pork production increased 3.9% on a YOY basis, finishing at a record high level, while ’19-’20 YTD pork production has increased by an additional 4.3% throughout the first half of the production season, despite the most recent decline. Beef – Production Declines to a 27 Year Low Level, Finishes Down 19.7% YOY Apr ’20 U.S. beef production declined 24.7% from the previous month, finishing 19.7% lower on a YOY basis when normalizing for slaughter days and reaching a 27 year low level, overall. The YOY decline in beef production was the first experienced throughout the past seven months and the largest on record. The Apr ’20 total number of cattle slaughtered declined 20.9% YOY throughout the month, more than offsetting a 1.8% increase in average weights/head. The MOM decline in beef production of 24.7% was a contraseasonal move when compared to the ten year average March – April seasonal increase of 0.4%. ’18-’19 annual beef production increased 0.6% on a YOY basis, finishing at a 16 year high level, while ’19-’20 YTD beef production has increased by an additional 0.8% throughout the first half of the production season, despite the most recent decline.
Recently Experienced Tail Events Update – May ’20
U.S. Livestock Cold Storage Update – May ’20
Dairy
Ethanol
Livestock
Grain

Recent Livestock Research

  • Atten Babler Meat FX Indices – Mar ’21
  • U.S. Cattle & Hogs Production Update – Feb ’21
  • U.S. Livestock Cold Storage Update – Feb ’21
  • U.S. Cattle on Feed Update – Feb ’21
  • U.S. Livestock & Meat Trade Update – Feb ’21
Atten Babler Commodities LLC
11406 US Route 20 W
Galena, IL 61036
800-884-8290
Privacy Policy
Futures, options and swaps brokerage is provided through Atten Babler Commodities LLC. The risk of loss in trading commodity futures and options and swaps is substantial. Swaps trading should only be undertaken by investors who are Eligible Contract Participants (ECPs) within the meaning of Section 1a(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act. Before trading, you should carefully consider your financial position to determine if futures, options or swaps trading is appropriate. When trading futures, options or swaps, it is possible to lose more than the full value of your account. All funds committed should be risk capital. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Atten Babler Commodities LLC use sources that they believe to be reliable, but they cannot warrant the accuracy of any of the data included in this site. Opinions and market data are subject to change at any time. Unless otherwise stated the information contained herein is meant for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation to buy futures or options or swaps.
© Copyright 2021 Atten Babler Commodities LLC