SD-CROP-LIVESTOCK

                        South Dakota         
                     LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER                
                       

News Release                                  August 19, 2005

                       
                    RED MEAT PRODUCTION DOWN
                      
                      
SIOUX FALLS, August 19, 2005  Commercial red meat
production for South Dakota totaled 72.8 million pounds during
July, down 2 percent from one year ago and down 14 percent
from last month, according to USDA's South Dakota
Agricultural Statistics Office.  For July, pork production and
sheep and lamb production were down from one year ago.

Commercial hog slaughter for South Dakota totaled 349,000
head during July compared to 358,900 head last year. 
Average live weight was 260 pounds, which was up 6 pounds
from July 2004. 

Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter for South Dakota
totaled 800 head during July compared to 1,100 head last
year.  Average live weight was 124 pounds, up 3 pounds from
July 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