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In 2017 Texas farms sold $24.9 billion in agricultural products compared to 25.4 billion in 2012.
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Texas leads the nation in number of farms and ranches, with 248,416 farms and ranches covering 127 million acres.
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Of 408,506 producers in Texas 37% are women.
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For 36% of producers in Texas, farming is their primary occupation.
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Of 127 million acres in farmland, 7% (176,837 acres) is dedicated to orchards.
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The average farm in Texas is 411 acres.
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The average farm size in Texas decreased by 12 acres from 2012.
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Although cattle farms (beef farms specifically) dominated in numbers in Texas, farms with poultry inventory showed the largest increase since 2012.
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The average age of Texas farmers and ranchers is 59 years.
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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.
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Top 10 commodities in terms of market value in 2017:
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Cattle, $12.3 billion
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Cotton, $2.6 billion
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Milk, $2.1 billion
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Broilers, $2.9 billion
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Corn, $1.2 billion Greenhouse & nursery, $1.3 billion
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Forestry, $859 million
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Greenhouse, $838 million
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Eggs, $506 million
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Sorghum, $486 million
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Vegetables, $352 million
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Wheat, $276 million
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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/
