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Texas Ag Stats

 

  • 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.
  • Texas Top Commodities in 2017
  • 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/