• In 2017 Texas farms sold $24.9 billion in agricultural products compared to 25.4 billion in 2012.

• Texas leads the nation in number of farms and ranches, with 248,416 farms and ranches covering 127 million acres.

• Of 408,506 producers in Texas 37% are women.

• For 36% of producers in Texas, farming is their primary occupation.

• Of 127 million acres in farmland, 7% (176,837 acres) is dedicated to orchards.

• The average farm in Texas is 411 acres.

• The average farm size in Texas decreased by 12 acres from 2012.

• Although cattle farms (beef farms specifically) dominated in numbers in Texas, farms with poultry inventory showed the largest increase since 2012.

• The average age of Texas farmers and ranchers is 59 years.

• Texas producers with military service accounted for 50,004 farms and 52,357 producers with an average age of 68.

• The average farm size of a Texas producer with military service is 385 acres.

• 1 of every 7 working Texans (14%) is in an agriculture-related job.

• The average age of young producers (age 35 or less) was 29 and accounted for 21,304 farms.

• The average farm size owned by a young producer in Texas is 385 acres.

• New and beginning producers (10 years or less on any farm) came in at 118,999 operating 77,419 farms with an average size of 348 acres

• The number of female producers increased 69% in Texas compared to 2012.

• The category of Asian farmers in Texas increased significantly compared to 2012.

• Top 10 commodities in terms of market value in 2017:
  1. Cattle, $12.3 billion
  2. Cotton, $2.6 billion
  3. Milk, $2.1 billion
  4. Broilers, $2.9 billion
  5. Corn, $1.2 billion Greenhouse & nursery, $1.3 billion
  6. Forestry, $859 million 
  7. Greenhouse, $838 million
  8. Eggs, $506 million
  9. Sorghum, $486 million
  10. Vegetables, $352 million
  11. Wheat, $276 million 

• 
  
  Texas Top 10 Farm Production Expenses:
  Total Farm Expenses, $22.9 billion
   1 - Livestock and poultry purchased or leased, $5.8 billion
   2 - Feed, $5.2 billion
   3 - Hired labor, $1.7 billion
   4 - Supplies, repairs and maintenance, $1.3 billion
   5 - Fertilizer, lime, and soil conditioners, $1 billion
   6 - Fuels and oils, $988 million
   7 - Seeds, plants, vines and trees, $855 million
   8 - Chemicals, $750 million 
   9 - Interest, $724 million
   10 - Cash rent for land, buildings and grazing fees $576 million

For more information on the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) please visit, https://www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus/