SD-CROP-LIVESTOCK

                        South Dakota         
                     LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER                

News Release                                    July 22, 2005  
                       
                    RED MEAT PRODUCTION UP
                   
SIOUX FALLS, July 22, 2005   Commercial red meat
production for South Dakota totaled 84.5 million pounds during
June.  This was up 17 percent from one year ago and up 11
percent from last month, according to USDA's South Dakota
Agricultural Statistics Office.  For June, pork production was
up, but sheep and lamb production was down from one year
ago.

Commercial hog slaughter for South Dakota totaled 405,100
head during June compared to 338,000 head last year. 
Average live weight was 261 pounds, which was up 3 pounds
from June 2004. 

Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter for South Dakota
totaled 1,300 head during June, down 100 head from last year. 
Average live weight was 123 pounds, unchanged from June
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