Red Meat Production Down 20 Percent from January

SIOUX FALLS - February commercial red meat production in South Dakota was down 20 percent from January.

The South Dakota office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service says the total of 80.3 million pounds for the month is down 1 percent from a year ago.

February pork production was down in February, but sheep and lamb production was up from one year ago.

Commercial hog slaughter for South Dakota totaled 351,100 head during February, compared to 358,500 head the previous year. Average live weight was 271 pounds, down 1 pound from February 2012.

Commercial sheep and lamb slaughter for South Dakota totaled 200 head in February, unchanged from a year earlier. Average live weight was 127 pounds, up 5 pounds from the previous year.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.