SD-CROP-LIVESTOCK

NEWS RELEASE
United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service
South Dakota Field Office ? Sioux Falls, SD

Media contact: South Dakota Office, 605/323-6500
Email:  nass-sd@nass.usda.gov


               RED MEAT PRODUCTION STEADY


SIOUX FALLS, December 23, 2005 -- Commercial red meat production
for South Dakota totaled 92.9 million pounds during November, 
changing fractionally from one year ago but up 1 percent from 
last month.  November 2005 pork production and sheep and lamb 
production were down from one year ago, according to the South 
Dakota office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Commercial hog slaughter for South Dakota totaled 439,700 head 
during November compared to 444,400 head last year.  Average 
live weight was 264 pounds, up 5 pounds from November 2004.

Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter for South Dakota totaled 
1,000 head during November compared to 1,100 head last year.  
Average live weight was 119 pounds, which was down 2 pounds 
from November 2004.

Commercial slaughter data for beef cattle is not published.

              Access this complete report at:
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/reports/nassr/livestock/pls-bb/2005/lstk1205.pdf