Idaho No. 1

Idaho No. 1

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
Yesterday we reported good news from the Idaho statehouse. Idaho agriculture is soaring. That's the word from U of I ag economist Dr. Garth Taylor. “We have made some very significant strides in agriculture,” He told state lawmakers that cash receipts from crops and livestock will top eight point three billion dollars, the second highest year in state history. “We broke all time record highs in net farm income and were the second highest in the cash receipts ever recorded.” The U of I financial report says two factors led to the rise in cash receipts. Milk prices increased by a whopping 19 percent, while potato prices are up 15 percent. “So we have made some very significant strides in the growth of agriculture.” And farmers made money. Net farm income now projected at 2.7 billion dollars, 50 percent higher than last year. Idaho's cash receipts from the farm reveal 34 percent from milk, while cattle and calves came in at 20 percent. Potatoes 13 percent. Specialty crops eleven percent. Wheat 6 percent. Hay 5 percent. And sugar beets 4 percent. “I think one of the most telling graphs that we still put out that Idaho is the fifth largest ag state in the nation. Leave that with your viewers. As a percentage of GDP. As a percentage of total state GDP. Fifth largest state in the nation.” Agriculture accounts for one of every eight jobs in Idaho. The state ranks first in the U.S. for potato production and third for milk production.
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