Agriculture in Idaho is a cornerstone of its economy. It is not only Idaho’s heritage, but it also contributes significantly to both state and national food supplies. The diverse climate in Idaho and the fertile agricultural land support a wide range of agricultural businesses and activities. According to Idaho State Agriculture Department (ISDA), Idaho has more than 24,000 agricultural farms, that operate 11.5 million acres of agricultural land to produce more than 185 different agricultural commodities. The state ranks first in potatoes, barley, peppermint oil, trout and alfalfa hay production, second in hops, third in sugar beets, cheese and milk, and fourth in onions, dried edible peas, winter wheat and lentils.
Crop Production:
Idaho is well known for its potato production. That’s the reason it has been called the Potato State. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that Idaho produced 143 million cwt of potatoes in 2023 – around 30% of the US total potato production.
Other than potatoes, the state also cultivates significant quantities of wheat, barley, sugar beets and hay. The combined production of these crops in 2023 was around 24 million tons.
Livestock and Dairy Production:
The livestock and dairy sector also play a significant role in Idaho’s agricultural economy. In 2023, Idaho produced 16.8 billion lbs of milk, accounting for 7% of the nation’s total milk production. This positions Idaho as the third-largest producer of milk and cheese in the United States.
In addition to this, cattle and calves have a crucial role in dairy and beef production to meet state and national needs. According to USDA, the latest inventory for total Idaho’s cattle, cows and beef is 457,000, and 235,000 for the sheep (including lambs).
Specialty Crops and Seed Production:
Diversity in Idaho’s agricultural farming extends to specialty crops and seed production. The state is one of the leading producers of peppermint oil, ranking first nationally. ISDA in its 2021 report says that Idaho grows 70% of the world’s hybrid temperate sweet corn seed and is among the top suppliers of alfalfa, field bean, garden bean and Kentucky bluegrass seeds in the nation.
Conclusion:
Idaho’s agriculture is a dynamic and integral part of the state’s economy and identity. With its diverse production of crops and livestock, the agricultural yield in Idaho is not only feeding the nation but also contributing to global food supply chains. Idaho’s agriculture sector has also significant implications for the USA’s export sectors and the economy. We will talk about this in the coming Idaho’s agriculture articles series.
Have any questions or want to know more about Agriculture in Idaho? Please reach out to the COBE Ethics Chair at COBEEthics@boisestate.edu. If you have an agri-business or want to become a future agripreneur with strong business skills, explore Boise State’s College of Business and Economics (COBE) undergraduate and graduate degree programs.