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 UP FROM LAST YEAR


SIOUX FALLS, March 24, 2006 -- Commercial red meat production
for South Dakota totaled 85.1 million pounds during February.  
This was up 10 percent from one year ago but down 7 percent 
from last month.  For February, 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 396,700 head 
during February compared to 363,000 head the year before.  
Average live weight was 268 pounds, which was up 5 pounds 
from February 2005.

Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter for South Dakota totaled 
1,100 head during February compared to 700 head a year earlier.  
Average live weight was 120 pounds, which was down 3 pounds 
from February 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/lstk0306.pdf