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LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER



News Release

March 24, 2005

                                                
                                                    


RED MEAT PRODUCTION UP FROM LAST YEAR


SIOUX FALLS, March 24, 2005
_ Commercial red meat production for South Dakota totaled 77.7 million pounds during February 2005. This was up 5 percent from one year ago and down slightly from last month, according to USDA's South Dakota Agricultural Statistics Office. For February, pork production was up, while sheep and lamb production was down.

Commercial hog slaughter for South Dakota totaled 363,000 head during February 2005, compared to 348,400 head last year. Average live weight was 262 pounds, which was down 1 pound from February 2004.

Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter for South Dakota totaled 700 head during February 2005, compared to 1,000 head last year. Average live weight was 123 pounds, which was unchanged from February 2004.

Commercial slaughter data for beef cattle is not published.

The complete report can be accessed at www.usda.gov/nass/
or call Carter Anderson or Steve Noyes at
605-323-6500

        

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