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 DOWN 


SIOUX FALLS, May 19, 2006 -- Commercial red meat production for 
South Dakota totaled 70.7 million pounds during April.  This was 
down 7 percent from one year ago and down 14 percent from last 
month.  For April, pork production was down from one year ago, 
while sheep and lamb production was up, according to the South 
Dakota office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Commercial hog slaughter for South Dakota totaled 324,900 head 
during April compared to 360,300 head the year before.  Average 
live weight was 268 pounds, which was up 3 pounds from April 2005.

Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter for South Dakota totaled 900 
head during April compared to 600 head a year earlier.  Average 
live weight was 129 pounds, which was down 26 pounds from April 
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/lstk0506.pdf