The USDA is predicting American livestock farmers will produce 26.56 billion pounds of beef, up 775 million pounds from last month. This is based on increased cattle supplies available for placement and the heavy slaughter weights early in the year getting carried forward.
The milk production forecast for this year is lowered from last month based on smaller-than-expected dairy herd size in 2024 and fewer replacement heifers as of January 1, 2025. The 2025 all-milk price estimate is lower this month at $22.60 per hundredweight. Pork production for the year increased slightly on higher-than-expected dressed weights. Total pork production is forecast at 7.3 billion pounds, up 2.5 percent from 2024.
In poultry, projected broiler production for 2025 is lower in the first half of the year and higher in the second half. Projected egg prices were pushed higher by HPAI, which resulted in fewer layers. Turkey production was adjusted lower this year.
