By Jamie Martin
Dairy farming kept its long-time lead in Idaho’s agriculture economy in 2024, but cattle are rapidly closing the gap. USDA figures show milk generated $3.87 billion in farm-gate receipts, up 12 percent from 2023. Cattle and calves followed with a record $3.32 billion, a 27 percent year-over-year rise that positions the sector to possibly overtake dairy in 2025.
The USDA predicts national milk receipts will decline 4 percent and cattle receipts will grow 13 percent in 2025. Idaho dairies, however, boosted production by 7 percent in early 2025, which may help milk maintain its lead depending on market prices.
Potatoes secured the third spot with $1.24 billion, down 7 percent, while wheat stayed fourth at $597 million. Sugar beets moved to fifth with $508 million, pushing hay to sixth at $381 million, reflecting a 38 percent drop. Barley earned $347 million, and onions jumped to $205 million, up 25 percent from 2023.
Other notable performers included chicken eggs at $141 million, corn at $134 million, dry beans at $91 million, and hogs soaring 235 percent to $67 million. Hops fell to $69 million as acreage declined. Additional commodities such as trout, peppermint oil, floriculture, canola, and mustard seed added millions more to Idaho’s agricultural total.
Idaho’s farmers and ranchers collectively earned $11.79 billion in farm-gate receipts in 2024. Rising costs increased production expenses to $7.2 billion, and total net farm income dropped to $2.6 billion, 13 percent lower than 2023. Despite higher expenses, Idaho agriculture remains strong, with dairy and beef leading the state’s diverse and evolving farm economy.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar
Categories: National