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


JANUARY MEAT PRODUCTION UP FROM LAST YEAR


SIOUX FALLS, February 24, 2006 -- Commercial red meat production 
for South Dakota totaled 91.1 million pounds during January.  
This was up 17 percent from one year ago but down 6 percent from 
last month.  For January 2006, pork production and sheep and lamb 
production were up from one year ago, according to the South 
Dakota office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Commercial hog slaughter for South Dakota totaled 420,700 head 
during January 2006 compared to 360,800 head the year before.  
Average live weight was 268 pounds, which was up 7 pounds from 
January 2005.

Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter for South Dakota totaled 900 
head during January 2006 compared to 600 head a year earlier.  
Average live weight was 131 pounds, which was up 8 pounds from 
January 2005.

Commercial slaughter data for cattle is not published.

Access this complete report at:
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/reports/nassr/livestock/pls-bb/2006/lstk0206.pdf