Idaho Barley

Idaho again led the nation in barley production this year, although the state’s total was down a little compared with last year. However, Idaho’s share of total U.S. barley production increased this year, as farmers in the Gem State produced record yields.

Idaho produced 39 percent of the nation’s barley crop in 2025, compared with 38.7 percent in 2024, and has led the nation in barley production for the past 13 years.

Idaho overtook North Dakota as the nation’s top barley producing state in 2011 and, after falling to No. 2 in 2012, regained the No. 1 spot in 2013 and has since solidified that top ranking.

According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Idaho farmers harvested 490,000 acres of barley in 2025, down from 510,000 acres in 2024. However, barley yields in Idaho averaged a record-tying 112 bushels an acre this year, up 3 bushels from last year.