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. 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. 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. Idaho has nearly 25,000 farms and ranches spread over 11.8 million acres of land that produces more than 185 different agricultural products. The state's production ranks in the top ten in the nation in nearly 30 of the commodities it produces.

Viticulture Idaho has three approved wine-grape growing regions, or American Viticulture Areas (AVA), located throughout the state: 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. 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. CommodityAcres HarvestedValue of Production ($1000)Milk (all)N/A$2,357,038 Cattle & CalvesN/A$1,731,000 Potatoes322,000$912,800 Hay1,330,000$836,640 Wheat1,155,000$478,800 Sugarbeets172,000$283,680Barley580,000$306,763 Dry Edible Beans119,000$70,011 Corn (Grain)70,000$68,103 Onions8,000$49,803 Peppermint15,200$34,154 Hops4,900$30,799 Apples2,300$14,978 Dry Edible Peas50,000$9,380 Lentils32,000$8,960 Peaches900$6,253 HoneyN/A$5,468 Sweet Cherries700$3,636 Spearmint1,300$3,629 Oats15,000$3,806 Prunes & Plums400$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 rises, we will continue to see an increase in the sales of these commodities.

Number of Farms168Cropland Acres95,739Pasture/Rangeland71,443Total Acres167,182Total 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.

YearDollars (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. 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. There are over 500 dairies in Idaho, most of which are family-owned.

Total HeadCattle and Calves1,813,000Dairy Cattle587,000Sheep and Lambs255,000

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

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.

Number of Farms/Ranches24,400Land in Farms/Ranches (acres)11,800,000Average Size of Farm/Ranch (acres)484

2012 Agriculture Census Irrigated Land (acres)3,365,292Average Age of Operator57

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.

CommoditiesRank% of U.S.Potatoes132Austrian Winter Peas151Barley225Alfalfa Hay27Sugarbeets219Wrinkled Seed Peas240Prunes and Plums240Hops311All Mint319Dry Edible Peas44Lentils45Onions (Summer Storage)511Dry Edible Beans57Spring Wheat55Sweet Cherries51Canola61Winter Wheat74All Hay104Livestock and Livestock ProductsTrout147Milk37Cheese38Milk Cows46Sheep and Lambs65Wool86Cattle & Calves, All133Honey142

References

External links

Idaho statistics (USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service) Idaho Department of Agriculture