03/25/05 Idaho farm income up in 2004

Cash receipts last year from Idaho crop and livestock sales are estimated at 4.4 billion dollars, a twelve- percent increase from 2003. Net farm income jumped 38 percent to 1.7 billion. For the fourth year in a row Idaho livestock revenues exceeded crop revenue. 59 percent of the total farm gate cash receipts came from livestock. Dairy regained the title as Idaho's leading agricultural industry. Cash receipts from Idaho milk last year is estimated at 1.3 billion dollars, a one third increase over 2003. The cattle industry ranks second with 1.2 billion in sales revenue. Potatoes remained the state's largest crop revenue producer at 505 million but that's ten percent lower than 2003. Wheat revenue went up 25 percent to 350 million. Barley revenue was 24 percent higher last year, up to 183 million dollars. Hay continued to be the third largest crop revenue producer but the sugarbeet production was off 13 percent, prices were down and revenue dropped two percent to 209 million dollars. Onion production was 29 percent higher but prices were 20 percent lower last year compared to 2003. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott