Idaho Agriculture Industry Facts
Discover the Idaho state facts of a diverse and productive agricultural industry
Looking for Idaho state facts related to agriculture? You’ve come to the right place.
Laying claim to 25,000 farms and ranches that produce more than 185 different commodities, the Idaho agriculture industry is diverse and thriving. In fact, the agriculture sector is the single largest contributor to the state’s economy, accounting for 20 percent of Idaho’s gross state product each year. Moreover, Idaho ranks in the U.S. top 10 for production of more than 25 crops and livestock.
Read on for more facts about Idaho state and to learn Idaho history facts associated with the state’s ag industry.
Idaho State Facts on Potatoes
According to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Idaho leads the nation in potato production, producing nearly a third of all U.S. potatoes. The state’s growers produce more than 100 million hundredweight of potatoes annually on more than 300,000 acres. Here’s an interesting fact about Idaho potatoes: although Russet is the most well-known Idaho potato, the state produces more than 30 varieties of the crop.
Several factors contribute to Idaho’s propensity for potato production, but the Idaho Potato Commission reports that it’s largely due to the state’s growing season of warm days and cool nights in conjunction with its mountain-fed irrigation and rich volcanic soil. As a result, Idaho potatoes are known for their unique texture and taste which are important reasons why 72 percent of Americans say they would be inclined to eat Idaho potatoes over potatoes from other states.
What Is Idaho Known for Besides Potatoes?
You may not know this Idaho fact, but along with potatoes, Idaho is a major wheat producer. With nearly half of the state’s wheat sold to foreign markets, the crop is one of Idaho’s top export products. Additionally, wheat is grown in 42 of Idaho’s 44 counties and ranks as the state’s second largest crop. Overall, Idaho typically ranks sixth or seventh in the nation for wheat production.
Idaho is also a top producer of barley, growing both malting and feed varieties, and its hay – including the more than four million tons of alfalfa harvested each year – which is known for its high-protein content. Plus, the state is second nationally in the production of sugar beets, with over 850 sugar beet farmers planting about 175,000 acres of the crop and harvesting over six million tons annually.
Finally, Idaho has a flourishing dairy industry, too. The state’s yearly milk yield of more than 13 billion pounds is valued at over $2.2 billion. Idaho is also the nation’s third largest cheese producer, producing more than 800 million pounds of cheese annually.
AgAmerica Lending is proud to be able to support all of the agricultural industries in Idaho with our spectrum of financial solutions that provide the right financing for operations of all kinds in Idaho – and across the U.S. Contact us today to learn more about how our team of land loan experts can help you prepare your operation for a strong, healthy financial future.
