Agriculture in Idaho

Agriculture in Idaho is an important part of the state's way of life and represents a substantial portion of the state's economy. 20% of Idaho's sales each year are generated by agriculture and food/beverage processing. In 2015, agricultural products were valued at $7,463,718,000, with slightly over half of that from the sale of livestock and dairy products.[1] Cattle is the second largest agriculture sector of the state and Idaho is the third largest producer of milk and cheese in the United States.[1] Although dairy plays a significant role in the economy, Idaho is most known for its potatoes. Idaho is the number one producer of potatoes in the nation and contributes to 32% of the country's production.[1] Idaho has nearly 25,000 farms and ranches spread over 11.8 million acres[1] of land that produces more than 185 different commodities. The state's production ranks in the top ten in the nation in nearly 30 of the commodities it produces.[1]

Viticulture

Idaho has three approved wine-grape growing regions, or American Viticulture Areas (AVA), located throughout the state:[2]

  • Snake River Valley AVA - Approved in 2007 and located in the southern region of the state.
  • Eagle Foothills AVA - Approved in 2015 and located in the southwestern region of the state. The Eagle Foothills AVA lies at 2800' above the southwestern portion of the Snake River Valley AVA and most of Idaho's 50+ wineries are concentrated in this area.[3]
  • Lewis-Clark AVA - Approved in 2016 and located in the northern region of the state.

2015 Top Idaho Commodities

In 2015, Idaho's top commodities, by value of production, were milk products and cattle/calves. Following dairy products, potatoes were the next highest producing commodity.[1]

Commodity Acres Harvested Value of Production ($1000)
Milk (all) N/A $2,357,038
Cattle & Calves N/A $1,731,000
Potatoes 322,000 $912,800
Hay 1,330,000 $836,640
Wheat 1,155,000 $478,800
Sugarbeets 172,000 $283,680
Barley 580,000 $306,763
Dry Edible Beans 119,000 $70,011
Corn (Grain) 70,000 $68,103
Onions 8,000 $49,803
Peppermint 15,200 $34,154
Hops 4,900 $30,799
Apples 2,300 $14,978
Dry Edible Peas 50,000 $9,380
Lentils 32,000 $8,960
Peaches 900 $6,253
Honey N/A $5,468
Sweet Cherries 700 $3,636
Spearmint 1,300 $3,629
Oats 15,000 $3,806
Prunes & Plums 400 $1,021

2015 Idaho Organic Production

There are roughly 168 farms in Idaho that produce organic commodities. In 2015, 95,739 acres of cropland and 71,443 acres of pasture/rangeland produced $85,014,000 in sales. As the popularity of organic foods rise, we will continue to see an increase in the sales of these commodities.[4]

Number of Farms 168
Cropland Acres 95,739
Pasture/Rangeland 71,443
Total Acres 167,182
Total Sales $85,014,000

Total Cash Receipts

In 2015, Idaho's agricultural products were valued at $7,463,718,000. Slightly over half of this amount was from the sale of livestock and dairy products.[1]

Year Dollars (1,000)
2015 $7,463,718
2014* $8,768,017
2013* $8,317,046
2012* $7,586,979
2011* $7,368,419
2010 $5,889,969
2009 $5,144,327
2008* $6,216,935
2007* $5,719,830
2006* $4,589,839
2005* $4,416,536
2004* $4,405,372

*Record Setting Year

2016 Idaho Livestock (January)

In 2015, Idaho's number one agriculture sector, with a value of production of $3,204,663,000, was all milk products and its second largest agriculture sector, with a value of production of $1,731,000,000, was cattle.[1] Slightly over half of the state's income comes from the sale of livestock and dairy products. Idaho is the third largest producer of milk and cheese, fourth largest producer of milk cows, sixth largest producer of sheep and lambs, and 13th largest producer of cattle and calves in the United States.[1] There are over 500 dairies in Idaho, most of which are family-owned.

Total Head
Cattle and Calves 1,813,000
Dairy Cattle 587,000
Sheep and Lambs 255,000

2015 Cash Receipts Breakdown Livestock and Crops
Livestock cash receipts $4,551,997
Crops cash receipts $2,911,720
Total cash receipts $7,463,717[1]

2015 Idaho Farms and Farmland

Idaho's agriculture is sustained by a high acreage of farmland and ranches. Idaho has 24,400 farms and ranches that take up 11,800,000 acres of land throughout the state.[1]

Number of Farms/Ranches 24,400
Land in Farms/Ranches (acres) 11,800,000
Average Size of Farm/Ranch (acres) 484

2012 Agriculture Census
Irrigated Land (acres) 3,365,292
Average Age of Operator 57[5]

2015 National Rankings

Idaho's agriculture production ranks in the top ten in the nation in nearly 30 of the 168 commodities it produces. The state ranks number one in the nation in the production of potatoes, Austrian winter peas, and trout.[1]

Commodities Rank % of U.S.
Potatoes 1 32
Austrian Winter Peas 1 51
Barley 2 25
Alfalfa Hay 2 7
Sugarbeets 2 19
Wrinkled Seed Peas 2 40
Prunes and Plums 2 40
Hops 3 11
All Mint 3 19
Dry Edible Peas 4 4
Lentils 4 5
Onions (Summer Storage) 5 11
Dry Edible Beans 5 7
Spring Wheat 5 5
Sweet Cherries 5 1
Canola 6 1
Winter Wheat 7 4
All Hay 10 4
Livestock and Livestock Products
Trout 1 47
Milk 3 7
Cheese 3 8
Milk Cows 4 6
Sheep and Lambs 6 5
Wool 8 6
Cattle & Calves, All 13 3
Honey 14 2

References
  1. "USDA - National Agricultural Statistics Service - Idaho - Annual Statistical Bulletins". www.nass.usda.gov. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  2. ALFD/ITD. "TTB | Wine | Appellations of Origin". www.ttb.gov. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  3. "Wines Northwest|IDAHO WINERIES, WINES AND WINE COUNTRY". www.winesnw.com. Retrieved 2017-04-14.
  4. "USDA - National Agricultural Statistics Service - Organic Agriculture". www.nass.usda.gov. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
  5. "USDA - NASS, Census of Agriculture - Publications - 2012". www.agcensus.usda.gov. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
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