SD-CROP-LIVESTOCK

                     South Dakota         
                 LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTER                
 
News Release                             October 21, 2005

       RED MEAT PRODUCTION UP FROM LAST YEAR
                      
                      
SIOUX FALLS, October 21, 2005   Commercial red meat
production for South Dakota totaled 87.3 million pounds during
September.  This was up 1 percent from one year ago and 5
percent above last month, according to the South Dakota
Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.  For
September, pork production and sheep and lamb production
were up from one year ago.
                         
Commercial hog slaughter for South Dakota totaled 423,000
head during September compared to 417,600 head last year. 
Average live weight was 257 pounds, which was down 2
pounds from September 2004. 

Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter for South Dakota
totaled 1,000 head during September
compared to 400 head last year.  Average live weight was 120
pounds, which was down 14 pounds from September 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