SD-CROP-LIVESTOCK

                        South Dakota         
                     LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER                
                                   
News Release                                  September 23, 2005
                                  
                                  
             COMMERCIAL RED MEAT PRODUCTION DOWN
                                  
                                  
SIOUX FALLS, September 23, 2005   Commercial red meat production
for South Dakota totaled 83.0 million pounds during August.  
This was down 1 percent from one year ago but up 14 percent
from last month, according to USDA's South Dakota Agricultural 
Statistics Office.  For August, pork production and sheep and 
lamb production were down from one year ago.

Commercial hog slaughter for South Dakota totaled 405,800 head 
during August compared to 407,200 head last year.  Average live 
weight was 256 pounds, which was down 1 pound from August 2004. 

Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter for South Dakota totaled 
900 head during August compared to 1,400 head last year.  
Average live weight was 121 pounds, which was down 5 pounds 
from August 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