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Livestock Development

High Stock in Livestock

In South Dakota, 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

  • 4.05 million head of cattle & calves as of January 2019 (up 1% from 2018)
    • 7th highest inventory of cattle & calves in the U.S.
  • 1.82 million head of beef cows (up 4% from 2018)
    • 5th highest Inventory of Beef Cows in the U.S.
  • 1.83 billion pounds of beef were produced in 2018 (ranked 9th)
    • Beef produced in 2018 was valued at $2.27 billion
    • Beef production grew 22.8% from 2008-2018, the 8th highest rate of growth in the U.S.

Dairy

  • 122,000 head of milk cows (2019)
    • The number in milk cows grew 38.4% from 2008-2018 in South Dakota – the highest rate of growth in the U.S.
  • 2.7 billion pounds of milk produced (2018)
    • Milk production increased 50.6% from 2008-2018 – 5th highest rate of growth in the U.S.
  • 22,355 pounds produced per milk cow (2018)
  • $467.97 million total value of milk produced (2018)

Pork

  • 1.86 million head of hogs as of Jun 2019 (up 11% from previous year)
    • 12th highest inventory in Hogs & Pigs in U.S.
    • Hog inventories grew 45.3% from 2009-2019, the highest rate of growth in the U.S.
  • 928.6 million pounds of pork were produced in 2018
    • SD was 11th highest in pork production in 2018
    • Pork production grew 26.1% in SD from 2008-2018 (rank 15th)
    • Pork produced in 2018 was valued at $530.4 million
  • South Dakota is #1 in pigs per litter, setting a record of 11.95 pigs per litter in 2018

Poultry

  • Turkeys produced in 2018 total 4.25 million
    • up 3.7% over 2017 or 150,000 birds
    • Pounds produced in 2018 total 179 million
    • Value of production was $91.5 million
    • SD has the 13th highest Inventory of Turkeys in the U.S.
  • Poultry Egg Production was estimated at 798 million eggs in 2018
    • Production was up 13.6 million over 2017 (1.7% increase)
    • From 2008-2018 Production grew 15.5%
    • Value of egg production in 2018 was $63.8 million (57.1% increase over 2017)
    • Average number of layers for 2018 was 2.6 million
    • Average annual production per layer is 307 eggs
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

413
Number of Establishments
3,602
Number of Employees
$39,728
Average Annual Wage
43%
Cow population growth, 2007-2017
30%
Hog breeding inventory growth

South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development

711 East Wells Ave Pierre, SD 57501
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