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Livestock Development

High Stock in Livestock

In South Dakota, livestock development and agriculture’s impact on our economy is significant. Feedlots, hog units, poultry, dairies, and aquatic animals supply more than the food on our tables. Livestock development means jobs, too. That’s why the Governor’s Office of Economic Development remains committed to growing this vital industry.

Livestock Development

Precision Ag

Resource Links

State Agriculture Overview South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources South Dakota Agri-Business Association SDSU College of Agriculture, Food & Environment Sciences Programs SDSU Agriculture Research Field Stations
Cattle & Calves Dairy Pork Poultry

Cattle & Calves

  • 3.6 million head of cattle and calves (inventory as of January 2023)
    • 4.0 percent of national cattle and calves inventory (8th highest)
  • 1.7 billion pounds of cattle and calves produced in 2023
    • $2.5 billion value
  • 1.5 million head of beef cows (inventory as of January 2023)
    • 5.3 percent of national beef cow inventory (5th highest)

Dairy

  • 187,000 head of milk cows (inventory as of January 2023)
    • 4.2 billion pounds of milk produced in 2022
  • 23,117 pounds of milk produced per dairy cow head in 2022
    • $1.1 billion value
  • 4.5 percent of milk produced was milk fat in 2022
    • Highest proportion of any state

Pork

  • 2.3 million head of hogs (inventory as of December 2023)
    • 3.0 percent of national hog inventory (10th highest)
  • 1.4 billion pounds of hogs produced in 2022
    • $1.0 billion value
  • 12.8 pigs per litter in 2023
    • Highest rate of any state

Poultry

  • 2.5 million head of turkeys produced in 2022
    • 112 million pounds
    • $119.5 million value
  • 592.5 million poultry eggs produced in 2022
    • $96.4 million value
    • 1.9 million average layers
    • 311 average eggs per layer
Quick Facts
01

South Dakota consistently ranks in the Top 10 in production of bison, beef cows, sheep & lambs, and cattle & calves.

Quick Facts
02

43% of South Dakota’s farms are focused on animal production (nearly 13,000 farms)

Quick Facts
03

More than 55% of South Dakota ag land is dedicated to animal production (24 million acres)

Industry Data

445
Number of Establishments
11,478
Number of Employees
$56,804
Average Annual Wage
103.3%
Milk cow population growth, 2013-2023
92.5%
Hog inventory growth, 2013-2023

South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development

711 East Wells Ave Pierre, SD 57501
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