Projections for March were down from February projections by 40 million pounds to 24.54 billion pounds.
If projections for beef production in 2016 are realised, production will be up 3.6% on 2015.
The USDA said first-quarter beef production is reduced on the pace of slaughter and lower carcass weights.
Production for the first quarter is estimated at 5.845b pounds and the second quarter at 6.115b pounds. Production is expected to peak in the third quarter at 6.365b pounds, and ease off in the fourth quarter with estimated production of 6.215b pounds.
Beef import and export forecasts are unchanged from last month as are annual cattle prices for 2016.
