Agriculture in Idaho


Agriculture in Idaho is an important part of the state's way of life and represents a substantial portion of the state's economy. 20% of Idaho's sales each year are generated by agriculture and food/beverage processing. In 2015, agricultural products were valued at $7,463,718,000, with slightly over half of that from the sale of livestock and dairy products. Cattle is the second largest agriculture sector of the state and Idaho is the third largest producer of milk and cheese in the United States. Although dairy plays a significant role in the economy, Idaho is most known for its potatoes. Idaho is the number one producer of potatoes in the nation and contributes to 32% of the country's production. Idaho has nearly 25,000 farms and ranches spread over 11.8 million acres of land that produces more than 185 different commodities. The state's production ranks in the top ten in the nation in nearly 30 of the commodities it produces.

[Viticulture]

Idaho has three approved wine-grape growing regions, or American Viticulture Areas, located throughout the state:
In 2015, Idaho's top commodities, by value of production, were milk products and cattle/calves. Following dairy products, potatoes were the next highest producing commodity.
CommodityAcres HarvestedValue of Production
Milk N/A$2,357,038
Cattle & CalvesN/A$1,731,000
Potatoes322,000$912,800
Hay1,330,000$836,640
Wheat1,155,000$478,800
Sugarbeets172,000$283,680
Barley580,000$306,763
Dry Edible Beans119,000$70,011
Corn 70,000$68,103
Onions8,000$49,803
Peppermint15,200$34,154
Hops4,900$30,799
Apples2,300$14,978
Dry Edible Peas50,000$9,380
Lentils32,000$8,960
Peaches900$6,253
HoneyN/A$5,468
Sweet Cherries700$3,636
Spearmint1,300$3,629
Oats15,000$3,806
Prunes & Plums400$1,021

2015 Idaho Organic Production

There are roughly 168 farms in Idaho that produce organic commodities. In 2015, 95,739 acres of cropland and 71,443 acres of pasture/rangeland produced $85,014,000 in sales. As the popularity of organic foods rise, we will continue to see an increase in the sales of these commodities.
Number of Farms168
Cropland Acres95,739
Pasture/Rangeland71,443
Total Acres167,182
Total Sales$85,014,000

Total Cash Receipts

In 2015, Idaho's agricultural products were valued at $7,463,718,000. Slightly over half of this amount was from the sale of livestock and dairy products.
YearDollars
2015$7,463,718
2014*$8,768,017
2013*$8,317,046
2012*$7,586,979
2011*$7,368,419
2010$5,889,969
2009$5,144,327
2008*$6,216,935
2007*$5,719,830
2006*$4,589,839
2005*$4,416,536
2004*$4,405,372

*Record Setting Year

2016 Idaho Livestock (January)

In 2015, Idaho's number one agriculture sector, with a value of production of $3,204,663,000, was all milk products and its second largest agriculture sector, with a value of production of $1,731,000,000, was cattle. Slightly over half of the state's income comes from the sale of livestock and dairy products. Idaho is the third largest producer of milk and cheese, fourth largest producer of milk cows, sixth largest producer of sheep and lambs, and 13th largest producer of cattle and calves in the United States. There are over 500 dairies in Idaho, most of which are family-owned.
Total Head
Cattle and Calves1,813,000
Dairy Cattle587,000
Sheep and Lambs255,000

2015 Cash Receipts Breakdown Livestock and Crops

2015 Idaho Farms and Farmland

Idaho's agriculture is sustained by a high acreage of farmland and ranches. Idaho has 24,400 farms and ranches that take up 11,800,000 acres of land throughout the state.
Number of Farms/Ranches24,400
Land in Farms/Ranches 11,800,000
Average Size of Farm/Ranch 484

2012 Agriculture Census

2015 National Rankings

Idaho's agriculture production ranks in the top ten in the nation in nearly 30 of the 168 commodities it produces. The state ranks number one in the nation in the production of potatoes, Austrian winter peas, and trout.