SD-CROP-LIVESTOCK

                      South Dakota         
                   LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER                
 
News Release                                     June 24, 2005

          COMMERCIAL RED MEAT PRODUCTION STEADY
                      
                      
SIOUX FALLS, June 24, 2005   Commercial red meat
production for South Dakota totaled 76.4 million pounds during
May.  This was virtually unchanged from last month but up 22
percent from one year ago, according to USDA's South Dakota
Agricultural Statistics Office.  For May, pork production and
sheep and lamb production were up from one year ago.

Commercial hog slaughter for South Dakota totaled 361,000
head during May compared to 291,300 head last year. 
Average live weight was 263 pounds, which was up 4 pounds 
from May 2004. 

Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter for South Dakota
totaled 1,100 head during May compared to 500 head last
year.  Average live weight was 121 pounds, which was down
8 pounds from May 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