U.S. Department of Agriculture Forecasts More Red Meat and Poultry Production In 2013

Oct 12, 2012

USDA World Agriculture Outlook Board Oct. 2012 Report

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects that red meat and poultry production will rise slightly for 2013. The USDA predicts that the supply of beef will be lower next year due to the drought conditions from this past summer and that will mean that poultry and pork production will rise slightly to offset the projected lower beef production. The department is also forecasting less beef imports for the remainder of 2012, largely due to less imports coming from Canada.

The World Agriculture Outlook Board report (WAOB) notes that beef exports are expected to be unchanged for 2012-2013 and pork expectations remain unchanged for the remainder of 2012, but are expected to rise slightly in 2013. Poultry export forecasts remain unchanged for 2012 and 2013.

Video: What Does 20 MILLION Hogs a Year Look Like?

?? The Multi-Plant System Processing 20 Million Hogs Annually in the Midwest JBS USA operates multiple large-scale pork processing facilities across the Midwest, including major plants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. Combined, these facilities have the capacity to process approximately 20 million hogs annually.

Each plant operates high-speed automated slaughter systems capable of processing up to 20,000 head per day, followed by fabrication lines that break carcasses into primals, sub-primals, and case-ready retail products.

Hog procurement is coordinated through electronic marketing platforms that connect regional contract finishing operations and independent producers to plant demand schedules. This digital procurement system allows for steady supply flow and scheduling efficiency across multiple facilities.

Processing plants incorporate comprehensive food safety systems, including pathogen intervention technologies, rapid chilling processes, and integrated cold-chain management. USDA inspection is embedded throughout the harvest and fabrication stages to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity. Finished pork products — from bulk primals to retail-ready packaged cuts — are distributed through coordinated logistics networks serving domestic and export markets.