SD-CROP-LIVESTOCK

                  South Dakota     
                  HOGS AND PIGS

News Release                           September 30, 2005

            SOUTH DAKOTA HOG NUMBERS UP

                    
SIOUX FALLS, September 30, 2005  The state's
September 1 inventory of all hogs and pigs was 1.37
million head, up 12 percent from 2004 but down 1
percent from last quarter, according to the South Dakota
Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Breeding stock totaled 140,000 head, unchanged from
September 2004, but down 5,000 head from June 2005. 
Market hogs totaled 1,230,000 head, up 14 percent
from September 2004 but down 1 percent from last
quarter. 

The June through August pig crop was 639,000 head,
1 percent (7,000 head) above last year.  During the
quarter 68,000 sows farrowed, unchanged from 2004. 
Pigs per litter averaged 9.40, up from 9.30 a year earlier. 
Producers intend to farrow 72,000 sows during
September through November 2005, 1,000 more than
actual farrowings one year ago.  Intentions for December
2005 through February 2006 are for 69,000 farrowings,
down 3,000 from  a year earlier.
                              
 The complete report can be accessed at www.usda.gov/nass/
         or call Carter Anderson or Steve Noyes at
                    605-323-6500