2024 Texas FFA Farm Facts PDF

TEXAS FFA ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EVENTS 2024 Senior Quiz Material FARM FACTS  Page |2 2024 Texas FFA Farm Facts Table of Contents Topic...

TEXAS FFA ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EVENTS 2024 Senior Quiz Material FARM FACTS  Page |2 2024 Texas FFA Farm Facts Table of Contents Topic PAGE Who’s Who in Agriculture 3 Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in AFNR 4 Agriculture Industry Grows Texas Farms, Ranches Cultivate the State's Economy 8 Census of Agriculture 12 The 2017 Census of Agriculture, Our First Take 13 The Revised ERS Farm Typology 19 About the U.S. Department of Agriculture 20 USDA Mission Areas and Agencies 21 Fast Facts About U.S. Agriculture & Food 24 US Agriculture – Cash Receipts by Commodity 25 Top 10 Produce Crops Grown in the United States 26 Texas Agriculture – Cash Receipts by Commodity 27 Texas Agriculture Facts 28 Beef Facts 29 Dairy Products – Milk Industry Facts 30 Poultry Industry Facts 32 Cotton Facts 33 Corn Facts 34 Hay Production Facts 36 Sorghum Facts 38 Wheat Facts 38 Pork Facts 40 Rice Facts 42 Peanut Facts 44 Potato Facts 45 Onion Facts 47 Watermelon Facts 48 Sheep Facts 49 Goat Facts 51 Equine Facts 53 Hides, Skins and Leather Facts 56 Tree Nut Facts 57 Fresh Vegetables Facts 58 Pulses including Soybeans & Oil Crop Facts 58 Fresh Fruits Facts 59 Greenhouse, Nursery & Flower Facts 59 Forestry Facts 60 The 10 Top More Influential People in Agricultural History 61 2  Page |3 WHO’S WHO IN AGRICULTURE Five agricultural policy makers Texas ought to know U. S. Secretary of Agriculture: Tom Vilsack, (Democrat) Chairman, U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee: Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan Chairman, U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee: Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-Pennsylvania Texas Commissioner of Agriculture: Sid Miller, (Republican) Chairman, Texas Senate Committee on Water and Rural Affairs: Senator Charles Perry, R-Lubbock 3  Page |4 Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in Food, Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources and the Environment, United States, 2020-2025 - By J. Marcos Fernandez, Allan D. Goecker, Ella Smith, Emma R. Moran and Christine A. Wilson Opportunities - We expect that in the United States between 2020 and 2025, employment opportunities will remain strong for new college graduates with interest and expertise in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, and the environment. An average of approximately 59,400 openings annually (Fig. 1a) reflects a slight (2.6%) improvement in open positions over the past five years (Goecker et al., 2015), but at half the rate of growth predicted in the previous edition of this report (5% job growth between 2015 and 2020). We project the major employment areas for new college graduates will be in Management and Business (approx. 24,700 positions) and in Science and Engineering (approx. 18,400 positions), making up 42% and 31%, respectively, of anticipated openings (Fig. 1b). Employment opportunities in Food and Biomaterials Production (approx. 7,900 positions) and the Education, Communications and Government Services sectors (approx. 8,400 positions) account for 13% and 14%, respectively, of jobs available for new college graduates in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, and the environment. Compared with the previous five-year report (Goecker et al., 2015), we project a decline in the proportion of job openings in Management and Business (42% vs. 46%), and an increase in job opportunities for college graduates with expertise in Science and Engineering (31% vs. 27%) and in the relative proportion of job openings in Education, Communication, and Government Services (14% vs. 12%). The projections for demand of college graduates reported in this report are primarily based the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Projections of available college graduates are derived from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) of the U.S. Department of Education. The BLS forecasts a 5.2% increase in the U.S. labor force between 2018 and 2028 due to job growth and openings from retirement or other replacements. We expect employment opportunities in occupations related to food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, and the environment to grow 2.6% between 2020 and 2025 for college graduates with bachelor’s or higher degrees. [Figures 1a and 1b. Expect 59,400 Annual Employment Opportunities in Food, Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources, and the Environment for College Graduates] 4  Page |5 Graduates - In the United States, between 2020 and 2025, the number of new college graduates annually seeking employment opportunities in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, and the environment will remain strong (approx. 59,400). Graduates from degree programs in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, and the environment will comprise approximately 61% (36,100) of the new graduate pool. Graduates with allied degrees – degree specializations offered by public and private non-profit higher education programs in biological sciences, engineering, health sciences, business, communication, etc. – who are expected to compete for employment with higher education graduates in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, and the environment, will comprise 39% (23,300) of the new graduate supply pool (Figs. 2a and 2c). These figures include graduates with baccalaureate and post-graduate and professional degrees. Expect the largest pool of new college graduates to be in Management and Business (25,700 graduates per year, 43% of the total); followed by Science and Engineering (17,100 graduates per year, 29% of the total); Education, Communications and Government Services (8,700 graduates per year, 15% of the total); and Food and Biomaterials Production (7,900 graduates per year, 13% of the total) (Figs. 2a and 2b). Compared to allied majors, new graduates with degrees in food, agriculture, renewable natural resources, and the environment will comprise approximately 61% of Management and Business graduates (15,600 vs. 10,100); 54% of Science and Engineering graduates (9,200 vs. 5  Page |6 7,900); 47% of Education, Communications and Government Services graduates (4,100 vs. 4,600); and 92% of Food and Biomaterials Production graduates (7,300 vs. 600) (Figs. 2c and 2d). [Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Anticipate 59,400 New College Graduates Annually Available for Positions in Food, Agriculture, Renewable Natural Resources, and the Environment (FARNRE)] 6  Page |7 Source: https://www.purdue.edu/usda/employment/ 7  Page |8 Education Pays Source: https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2014/data-on-display/education-still-pays.htm Source: https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/ Agriculture Industry Grows Texas Farms, Ranches Cultivate the State's Economy - By Lisa Minton and Astrid Alvarad - Published October 2022 Agriculture existed in Texas long before European settlers arrived. Caddo tribes in the eastern part of the state grew corn, beans, and squash, as detailed by the Texas State Historical Association. Pueblo tribes in the west not only cultivated food crops but also grew cotton and developed irrigation techniques. Early Spanish settlers introduced hogs, goats, sheep, and cattle. As other settlers arrived, 8  Page |9 they established a variety of farming and ranching operations, ranging from small family farms to large cotton plantations and cattle ranches. Since those early days, Texas agriculture has changed significantly. Advanced cultivation practices, improved seed varieties, mechanization and the introduction of electricity and paved farm roads have contributed to the modernization and expansion of the state’s agricultural industry, which produced $24.9 billion in cash receipts in 2021 — about 5.7 percent of the U.S. total and the fourth highest among all states According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Texas has 247,000 farms — 12.3 percent of the U.S. total and by far the most of any state (Exhibit 2). (The USDA defines ranches as types of farms and includes them in the count.) Our 126 million acres of farmland (PDF) is 14.1 percent of the U.S. total and more than twice that of second-ranked Montana. One of the reasons that Texas has so much more farmland than other states is that the USDA defines ranches as farmland — nearly 70 percent of Texas’ farmland belongs to our state’s ranches. The USDA’s 2017 Census of Agriculture, a survey conducted every five years, estimates the percentage of Texas farmland acreage by use [Pastureland, 69.8%; Cropland, 23.3% Woodland, 5.8%; Other, 1.1%]. California has bigger receipts than the top five, despite fewer farms, mainly because its top crops — including grapes, tomatoes, lettuce, citrus fruits, nuts, and berries — tend to be very profitable per acre, and California is one of the few states in the U.S. with suitable conditions to grow them. The 2017 USDA census also estimates that of the 408,506 Texas agriculture producers, 61.8 percent were male, and 38.2 percent were female. The average age of all Texas agriculture producers is 59.2 years old, 1.7 years older than the national average. Top Commodities and Exports - As might be expected, cattle are Texas’ top agricultural commodity with a 40.4 percent share of cash receipts — more than three times that of milk, the second highest. Texas’ top three agricultural commodities — cattle, milk, and broilers — represented nearly two-thirds of the state’s total agricultural cash receipts in 2021. The USDA valued Texas agricultural exports at $5.8 billion in 2020, the sixth highest total in the U.S., following California, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Nebraska (ranked first through fifth, respectively). Texas’ top five agricultural exports were: 1) Cotton ($1.7 billion; ranked No. 1 among all states); 2) Beef and veal ($1.0 billion; ranked No. 2); 3) Other plant products ($520.9 million; ranked No. 7); 4) Dairy products ($437.8 million; ranked No. 4); 5) Feeds (corn, sorghum, barley, and oats) and other feed grains (such as hay and alfalfa) ($320.1 million; ranked No. 9). According to a 2019 study (PDF) by the Center for North American Studies at Texas A&M University, Canada and Mexico were the top foreign markets for Texas agricultural products in 2018. Total economic activity for Texas agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico was valued at more than $3.7 billion and supported 22,972 jobs. Texas agricultural exports to Canada in 2018 totaled $903.3 million ($234.0 million in animal products and $669.3 million in plant products). The top three agricultural exports from Texas to Canada were: 1) Other horticultural products, such as cut flowers, live trees and other ornamental 9  P a g e | 10 plants ($266.6 million); 2) Beef and veal ($97.7 million); 3) Food preparation products, such as cake mixes, gravy packets and dried pasta ($69.0 million). In 2018, Texas exports to Mexico totaled $863.3 million ($344.1 million in animal products and $519.2 million in plant products). The top three agricultural exports from Texas to Mexico were: 1) Cotton ($139.4 million); 2) Beef and veal ($138.7 million); 3) Other horticultural products ($82.8 million). Economic Impact - The agriculture industry in Texas involves more than just growing crops and raising animals; it includes many other economic activities that form the supply chain between farm and consumers. Called the “food and fiber system,” it is the sector of the U.S. economy that comprises all economic activities supporting or utilizing agricultural production. The food and fiber system includes machinery repair, fertilizer production, food processing and manufacturing, transportation, wholesale distribution, retail sales and eating establishments. It also includes fabric, clothing and footwear that are produced from plant and animal fibers or hides. Certain financial, real estate, warehouse, transportation, and other services related to agriculture, as well as labor, also are included in the wide array of inputs used to measure agriculture’s contribution to the economy. It is estimated that in 2019 the Texas food and fiber system contributed $159.3 billion, about 8.6 percent of the state’s total GDP. Nationwide, the food and fiber system’s share of the economy is less than in Texas. According to SelectUSA, agriculture, food and related industries contributed $1.1 trillion — a 5.2 percent share — to the U.S. GDP in 2019. Challenges and Opportunities - Agriculture once required an enormous amount of labor to sustain production, but with modern capital-intensive practices and the increasing use of technology, agriculture has become much more productive while requiring a much smaller share of the labor force. While this economic transformation has resulted in greater food security and improved nutrition, today’s farmers and ranchers still face many challenges. Broadband Access - Agriculture increasingly relies on technology in its business operations, and in today’s high-tech world, having access to broadband connections is more important than ever. Broadband is essential to the practice of “precision agriculture,” in which farmers use technology such as variable-rate input applications, GPS systems and remote sensors to perform soil mapping; operate irrigation systems; run autonomous machinery; and assist with data collection. These innovative techniques allow higher quality yields and increased efficiency of production. Technology also helps some farmers reduce fuel and water usage, allowing for more sustainable operations. Additionally, an increasing number of farmers and ranchers are using wireless trackers to manage cattle and other livestock. This use of technology in agriculture, however, depends on access to a reliable broadband connection, and much of rural Texas remains without access. According to a 2019 USDA study (PDF), 24 million Americans live in households without access to broadband, and 80 percent of them live in rural areas. In Texas, 25 percent of farms don’t have internet access. The USDA noted that adequate broadband infrastructure and other digital technologies in agriculture could add $47 billion to $65 billion annually to the U.S. economy. 10  P a g e | 11 The Texas Broadband Plan developed by the Broadband Development Office (BDO) includes the need to reach agriculture as an essential part of the effort to expand affordable, high-quality internet service statewide. The BDO, created by the Legislature in 2021, is in the Comptroller’s office. Drought and Wildfire - Over the past year, most of Texas — 245 of its 254 counties at one point — has been struggling with the worst drought since 2011, significantly affecting agriculture. Cotton crops in the High Plains region, for example, have suffered tremendous losses: the entire production of dryland cotton and a significant portion of the irrigated crops. An August 2022 study (PDF) by Texas Tech’s International Center for Agricultural Competitiveness anticipates a 65 percent loss of total cotton production in the region, costing $1.2 billion in losses in economic activity, even with crop insurance. With so much of Texas under drought conditions, wildfires pose a serious threat to the state’s farms and ranches, damaging or destroying crops, livestock, agriculture production facilities, barns and homes. Between December 2021 and August 2022, Texas A&M Forest Service crews responded to 1,725 wildfires burning nearly 600,000 acres. At time of writing, 118 counties have implemented burn bans, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. Food Security - Roughly one in every eight Texans faces food insecurity (limited or uncertain access to adequate food, as defined by the USDA), and the growth of Texas’ population highlights the need to address this issue. The state is expected to reach a population approaching 50 million people by 2050, and farmers will continue to play a crucial role in providing affordable and accessible food to Texans. Over that timeframe, the USDA estimates that the global demand for food will increase by 70 to 100 percent, taking into account growth in population and a rise in incomes. Tradition of Agriculture - Thousands of Texans run farms and ranches that have been in their families for generations. The 2017 Census of Agriculture (PDF) found that 97 percent of Texas farms were family farms. In 2021, the Texas Department of Agriculture honored 57 family farms and ranches that have been in continuous agricultural production for a century or more. Many Texas families who have owned their farms for generations cite dedication to their community as a driving factor for their perseverance. While farming can be demanding, Texas farmers cite resilience, responsibility, and humility as values of working in agriculture. Additionally, some Texas farmers say farming has given them a greater appreciation for the land and the labor that provide crops and resources year-round. Farmers with these values and work ethic will continue expanding and adapting their businesses to meet the changing needs of the public. Outlook for Texas Agriculture - Today’s farmers and ranchers must be adaptable to changing conditions, including droughts, new technologies and the demand for more food as our population grows. They work hard to boost production (using often-limited resources) while meeting consumers’ changing tastes and expectations — and it is not an easy balancing act. 11  P a g e | 12 Farmers face many challenges. As more of the population moves to urban areas, affordable farm labor becomes more difficult to find. Water availability and soil conservation remain ongoing issues as do issues related to property rights and eminent domain. Texas farmers have remained resilient through it all, however, and their hard work as stewards of our land has made Texas a leader in agriculture and food exports. CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE HISTORY - The 2017 Census of Agriculture is the 29th Federal census of agriculture and the fifth conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census conducted the census of agriculture for 156 years (1840-1996). The 1997 Appropriations Act contained a provision that transferred the responsibility for the census of agriculture to NASS. The history of collecting data on U.S. agriculture dates back as far as President George Washington, who kept meticulous statistical records describing his own and other farms. In 1791, President Washington wrote to farmers requesting information on land values, crop acreages, crop yields, livestock prices, and taxes. Washington compiled the results on an area extending roughly 250 miles from north to south and 100 miles from east to west which today lies in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia, where most of the young country’s population lived. In effect, Washington’s inquiry was an attempt to fulfill the need for sound agricultural data for a nation that was heavily reliant on the success of agriculture. Such informal inquiries worked while the Nation was young but were insufficient as the country expanded. In 1839, Congress appropriated $1,000 for “carrying out agricultural investigations, and procuring agricultural statistics.” The first agriculture census was taken in 1840 as part of the sixth decennial census of population. As the country expanded and agriculture evolved, the decade between censuses became too long an interval to capture the changes in agricultural production. After the 1920 census, the census interval was changed to every five years resulting in a separate, mid-decade census of agriculture that was conducted in 1925, 1935, and 1945. The agriculture census continued as part of the decennial census through 1950. From 1954 to 1974, the census was taken for the years ending in 4 and 9. In 1976, Congress authorized the census of agriculture for 1978 and 1982 to adjust the data reference year so it coincided with other economic censuses. This adjustment in timing established the census of agriculture on a 5-year cycle collecting data for years ending in 2 and 7. USES OF CENSUS DATA - The census of agriculture provides a detailed picture of U.S. farms and ranches every five years. It is the leading source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every State and county or county equivalent. Census of agriculture data are routinely used by agriculture organizations, businesses, State departments of agriculture, elected representatives and legislative bodies at all levels of government, public and private sector analysts, the news media, and colleges and universities. Census of agriculture data are frequently used to: Show the importance and value of agriculture at the county, State, and national levels; Provide agricultural news media and agricultural associations benchmark statistics for stories and articles on U.S. agriculture and the foods we produce; 12  P a g e | 13 Compare the income and costs of production; Provide important data about the demographics and financial well-being of producers; Evaluate historical agricultural trends to formulate farm and rural policies and develop programs that help agricultural producers; Allocate local and national funds for farm programs, e.g. extension service projects, agricultural research, soil conservation programs, and land-grant colleges and universities; Identify the assets needed to support agricultural production such as land, buildings, machinery, and other equipment; Create an extensive database of information on uncommon crops and livestock and the value of those commodities for assessing the need to develop policies and programs to support those commodities; Provide geographic data on production so agribusinesses will locate near major production areas for efficiencies for both producers and agribusinesses; Measure the usage of modern technologies such as conservation practices, organic production, renewable energy systems, internet access, and specialized marketing strategies; Develop new and improved methods to increase agricultural production and profitability; Plan for operations during drought and emergency outbreaks of diseases or infestations of pests; Analyze and report the current state of food, fuel, and fiber production in the United States; and Make energy projections and forecast needs for agricultural producers and their communities. LEGAL AUTHORITY - The 2017 Census of Agriculture is required by law under the “Census of Agriculture Act of 1997,” Public Law 105- 113 (Title 7, United States Code, Section 2204g). The law directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a census of agriculture every fifth year. The census of agriculture includes each State, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. FARM DEFINITION - The census definition of a farm is any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year. The definition has changed nine times since it was established in 1850. The current definition was first used for the 1974 Census of Agriculture and was used in each subsequent census of agriculture. This definition is consistent with the definition used for current USDA surveys. The farm definition used for each U.S. territory varies. The report for each territory includes a discussion of its farm definition. Source: Introduction – USDA NAAS Full Report https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_US/usin tro.pdf THE 2017 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE, OUR FIRST TAKE: The 2017 Census of Agriculture was released last week to much-deserved fanfare. The Census of Ag is a herculean effort undertaken by USDA every five years by a staff of dedicated professionals intent on asking the right questions, in the right way, in order to paint the most accurate picture of U.S. agriculture at the time the data is collected. One small point of reference to highlight how seriously USDA takes the Census of Agriculture - the response rate for the 2017 Census of Agriculture was 71.8 percent. Many studies have been conducted regarding survey response rates. The following response rates are common, according to the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Research: 13  P a g e | 14 customer and member surveys – 5 to 40 percent; general public – 1 to 20 percent. The Census of Agriculture would likely be described as a hybrid of these two types. But by either definition, USDA’s doggedness for collecting responses is clearly impressive. The survey results will be the source of research and discussion for years to come; we dig into some of the high-level results here. Number of Ag Acres There are 2.26 billion acres in the United States. Between 2012 and 2017, the number of acres of land in farms fell by 14.3 million acres or 1.6 percent to 900 million acres. That means that in 2017, 40 percent of land in the U.S. was producing food and fiber for U.S. and non-U.S. citizens alike. This is the lowest share of U.S. land dedicated to agricultural use since the 1910 Census of Agriculture. For those who will inevitably wonder which year had the highest share of land dedicated to agricultural use – it was 1950, with 51.1 percent of land in farms. (In 1935, the Census reported that 55.4 percent of land was dedicated to agriculture, but this data point is excluded because it occurred before the United States was remeasured in 1940.) USDA further breaks down ag land into four different uses: cropland, woodland, pastureland and other including farmsteads, homes, buildings, livestock facilities, ponds, roads, wasteland, etc. Here we see interesting shifts. Between 2012 and 2017, acreage in cropland was the only segment to increase, up 6.7 million acres. The largest decline was in pastureland/rangeland, which was down 14.5 million acres. Acreage in woodland and other ag uses also declined, by 3.9 million acres and 2.5 million acres, respectively. However, despite these changes, the share of ag land dedicated to different uses has remained fairly consistent over the last 20 years, as highlighted in Figure 2. 14  P a g e | 15 Moving into state-by-state analysis, figure 3 visualizes the number of acres in ag land in each state, while figure 4 demonstrates the change in ag land by percentage between 2017 and 2012. Texas (-3.1 million), New Mexico (-2.5 million), Montana (-1.6 million), Wyoming (-1.3 million) and California (-1 million) lost the largest number of farmland acres. Five states in the Northeast saw the largest declines in ag land on a percentage basis. Between 2017 and 2012, Rhode Island lost 18 percent of its ag land, followed by Connecticut (-13 percent), New Hampshire (-10 percent), Maine (-10 percent) and Massachusetts (-6 percent). Meanwhile, other states added ag land. Georgia (+332 thousand), Indiana (+249 thousand), Nevada (+214 thousand), Florida (+183 thousand) and Louisiana (+96 thousand) gained the largest number of farmland acres. 15  P a g e | 16 When the data by category is further disaggregated it is easy to see that different trends impacted the number of acres in different states. Within the cropland category, North Dakota (804 thousand), South Dakota (666 thousand), Nebraska (645 thousand), Kansas (622 thousand) and Oklahoma (436 thousand) had the largest increase in crop acreage. Montana (-615 thousand), New Mexico (-150 thousand), Mississippi (-114 thousand), Arkansas (-105 thousand) and Tennessee (-43 thousand) experienced the largest number of declining crop acreage. On a percentage basis, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Montana, Mississippi, and Vermont had the largest decline, while West Virginia, Arizona, New Hampshire, Hawaii, and Wyoming had the largest percentage increase. 16  P a g e | 17 Within the pasture and rangeland category, Texas (-2.3 million), New Mexico (-1.8 million), Wyoming (-1.5 million), California (-1.4 million) and New Mexico (-0.8 million) experienced the largest number of declining permanent pasture acreage. On a percentage basis, Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Connecticut and Vermont showed the largest declines. Nevada (171 thousand), Washington (110 thousand), Arkansas (65 thousand) and Alaska (18 thousand) had the largest increase in pasture and rangeland on both an acreage and percentage basis. Farm Production Expenses Overall farm production expenses decreased by $2.5 million, a decline of 0.8 percent. This figure was primarily driven down by a 17 percent decline in feed costs, a 19 percent decline in fuel costs and an 18 percent decline in fertilizer costs. However, not all expense areas trended in the same direction. Hired labor expenses increased by $4.7 million, an increase of 17 percent; taxes increased by nearly $1.9 million, an increase of 25 percent and animal prices increased by almost $3.6 million, a 9 percent increase. In figure 9 we group the 17 Census of Ag categories into seven categories. 17  P a g e | 18 Number of Farms by Size Category The number of farms declined in every size category except 1-9 acres and 2,000 acres or more in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. And while the number of farms that were 2,000 acres or more only increased by 2,920 farms, an increase of 3.6 percent, the role of those larger operations continues to grow. The fewest number of farms, accounting for 75 percent of the market value of agricultural products sold in 2017, fell to a little over 105,000 farms. To put that number in context, there were 2.04 million farms identified in the 2017 Census. 18  P a g e | 19 Environmental No-till practices are now the most common tillage technique on cropland in the United States, after an 8 percent increase in 2017 as compared to 2012. Following are no-till are conservation tillage techniques, increasing by 28 percent. Finally, conventional tillage practices were utilized on nearly 25 percent fewer acres in 2017. Beyond tillage techniques, the 2017 Census highlights that farmers are embracing a wide variety of environmental practices. Farmers increased the number of acres of cropland planted to a cover crop by nearly 50 percent. Further, the number of operations with renewable energy devices increased by 132 percent. This huge increase was driven by large increases in the number of operations with solar panels, wind turbines, methane digesters and geo-exchange systems. Source: Farm Bureau - https://www.fb.org/market-intel/the-2017-census-of-agriculture-our-first-take THE REVISED ERS FARM TYPOLOGY: CLASSIFYING U.S. FARMS TO REFLECT TODAY'S AGRICULTURE: The USDA definition of a farm covers a broad range of places--from farms with no sales to multimillion dollar enterprises--and statistics portraying the characteristics of the “average farm” are not representative of most farms. ERS originally developed its farm typology in 1998 to group individual farms into more homogeneous categories for which average characteristics might be more meaningful. Since the release of the farm typology nearly 15 years ago, the U.S. agricultural sector has changed in a number of ways. ERS recently updated the typology to reflect three important trends: commodity price increases, a shift in production to larger farms, and the rapid growth of the use of production contracts among livestock producers. 19  P a g e | 20 The farm topology focuses on the “family farm,” or any farm where the majority of the business is owned by the operator and individuals related to the operator, including relatives who to no live in the operator’s household. USDA defines a farm as any place that produced and sold – or normally would have produced and sold – at least $1,000 of agricultural products during a given year. Gross cash farm income = GCFI Small family farms (GCFI less than $350,000). This includes three subcategories: o Retirement farms. Small family farms whose operators report they are retired, although they continue to farm on a small scale. These operations sell enough farm products to quality under the current USDA farm definition. o Off-farm occupations farms. Small family farms whose operators report a primary occupation other than farming. This category also includes farms – 12 percent of the group in 2010 – whose operators are not in the labor force but are not retired. o Farming-occupation farms. Small family farms whose operators report farming as their primary occupation. Low-sales farms. GCFI less than $150,000 Moderate-sales farms. GCFI between $150,000 and $349,000. Midsize family farms (GCFI between $350,000 and $999,999) o Family farms with GCFI between $350,000 and $999,000) Large-scale family farms (GCFI greater than $1,000,000) o Large family farms. Family farms with GCFI between $1,000,000 and $4,999,999. o Very large family farms. Family farms with GCFI of $5,000,000 or more. Nonfamily farms o Any farm where they operator and persons related to the operator do not own a majority of the business. Source: This article is drawn from Updating the ERS Farm Topology by Robert A. Hoppe and James M. MacDonald, USDA, Economic Research Service, April 2013. Source: https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2013/may/the-revised-ers-farm-typology-classifying- us-farms-to-reflect-todays-agriculture/ ABOUT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: What We Do - We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management. We have a vision to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve our Nation's natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands. Who We Are - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is made up of 29 agencies and offices with nearly 100,000 employees who serve the American people at more than 4,500 locations across the country and abroad. 20  P a g e | 21 USDA Mission Areas and Agencies Farm Production and Conservation - Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) is the Department’s focal point for the Nation’s farmers and ranchers and other stewards of private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest lands. FPAC agencies implement programs designed to mitigate the significant risks of farming through crop insurance, conservation programs, farm safety net programs, lending, and disaster programs. Farm Service Agency (FSA) - The Farm Service Agency implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster, and farm marketing programs through a national network of offices FPAC Business Center - The FPAC Business Center is a first-of-its-kind organization at USDA, combining the talent of employees from all three FPAC agencies into specialized teams that serve employees and customers across the Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Risk Management Agency (RMA). Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment. Risk Management Agency (RMA) - RMA helps to ensure that farmers have the financial tools necessary to manage their agricultural risks. RMA provides coverage through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, which promotes national welfare by improving the economic stability of agriculture. Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services - Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services works to harness the Nation’s agricultural abundance to reduce food insecurity and improve nutrition security in the United States. Its operating agency, the Food and Nutrition Service, administers federal domestic nutrition assistance programs and includes the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, which links scientific research to the nutrition needs of consumers through science-based dietary guidance, nutrition policy coordination, and nutrition education. Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) - FNS increases food security and reduces hunger in partnership with cooperating organizations by providing children and low-income people access to food, a healthy diet, and nutrition education in a manner that supports American agriculture and inspires public confidence. Food Safety Food Safety and Inspection Service is the USDA public health agency responsible for protecting the public’s health by ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products. FSIS ensures food safety through the authorities of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act, as well as humane animal handling through the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) - FSIS enhances public health and well-being by protecting the public from foodborne illness and ensuring that the nation's meat, poultry, and egg products are safe, wholesome, and correctly packaged. Marketing and Regulatory Programs - Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) facilitates domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products, protects U.S. plant and animal health, regulates genetically engineered organisms, administers the Animal Welfare Act, and carries 21  P a g e | 22 out wildlife damage management activities. MRP agencies are active participants in setting national and international standards. Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) AMS facilitates the strategic marketing of agricultural products in domestic and international markets while ensuring fair trading practices and promoting a competitive and efficient marketplace. AMS constantly works to develop new marketing services to increase customer satisfaction. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) - APHIS provides leadership in ensuring the health and care of animals and plants. The agency improves agricultural productivity and competitiveness and contributes to the national economy and the public health. Natural Resources and Environment - The mission of Natural Resources and Environment is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. We carry out our mission in partnership with States, Tribes, and communities across the country who steward our nation’s forest and grasslands. Forest Service (FS) - FS sustains the health, diversity and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Research, Education and Economics - Research, Education and Economics is dedicated to the creation of a safe, sustainable, competitive U.S. food and fiber system, as well as strong communities, families, and youth through integrated research, analysis, and education. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) - ARS is USDA's principal in-house research agency. ARS leads America towards a better future through agricultural research and information. Economic Research Service (ERS) - ERS is USDA's principal social science research agency. Each year, ERS communicates research results and socioeconomic indicators via briefings, analyses for policymakers and their staffs, market analysis updates, and major reports. National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) - NASS serves the basic agricultural and rural data needs of the country by providing objective, important and accurate statistical information and services to farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, and public officials. This data is vital to monitoring the ever-changing agricultural sector and carrying out farm policy. National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) - NIFA’s mission is to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and extension to solve societal challenges. NIFA’s investments in transformative science directly support the long-term prosperity and global preeminence of U.S. agriculture. Office of the Chief Scientist - The Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) was established in accordance with the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to provide strategic coordination of the science that informs the Department's and the Federal government's decisions, policies and regulations that impact all aspects of U.S. food and agriculture and related landscapes and communities. Rural Development - Rural Development fosters opportunity and economic security for people and communities in rural America through a broad range of investments. These investments open doors to better jobs, create access to innovation and technology, while promoting the promise of rural prosperity, equity, and climate resilience. The mission area is a catalyst for locally driven economic development strategies that build on the diverse assets and needs of rural places, including improving high-speed internet access; providing affordable rural housing; connecting rural skill sets to jobs of 22  P a g e | 23 the future; modernizing roads, bridges, and water systems; and ensuring communities have access to health care. Rural Development provides tools and resources such as loans, grants, and strong community partnerships that ensure rural families, businesses, and communities can prosper today and in the future. The Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS) - RBS offers programs to help businesses grow as well as job training for people living in rural areas. These programs help provide the capital, training, education and entrepreneurial skills that can help people living in rural areas start and grow businesses or find jobs in agricultural markets and in the bio-based economy. Rural Development (RD) - RD helps rural areas to develop and grow by offering Federal assistance that improves quality of life. RD targets communities in need and then empowers them with financial and technical resources. Rural Utilities Service (RUS) - RUS provides financing to build or improve infrastructure in rural communities. This includes water and waste treatment, electric power, and telecommunications services. These services help expand economic opportunities and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Housing Service (RHS) - RHS offers a variety of programs to build or improve housing and essential community facilities in rural areas. RHS offers loans, grants, and loan guarantees for single- and multi-family housing, childcare centers, fire and police stations, hospitals, libraries, nursing homes, schools, first responder vehicles and equipment, housing for farm laborers and much more. Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs - Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs’ (TFAA) role is to provide our farmers and ranchers with opportunities to compete in the global marketplace. TFAA is the Department’s lead on trade policy with the primary responsibility of ensuring USDA speaks with a unified voice on international agricultural issues domestically and abroad. Within TFAA, the Foreign Agricultural Service is the lead U.S. agency tasked with promoting exports of U.S. agricultural products through market intelligence, trade policy, trade capacity building, and trade promotion programs. This work is carried out by staff in Washington, D.C., as well as a global network of 95 offices covering 177 countries. Also, within TFAA, the U.S. Codex Office coordinates U.S. participation in the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a United Nations body that sets international food standards while protecting consumer health and ensuring fair trade practices. Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) - FAS works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products. This USDA agency operates programs designed to build new markets and improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace. U.S. Codex Office - The U.S. Codex Office (USCO) is housed in the USDA’s Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs mission area. The USCO is composed of a small yet effective team that conducts international outreach and provides education to promote and support the development of a sustainable global agricultural system and improved international nutrition efforts. Source: https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda Source: https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/agencies 23  P a g e | 24 FAST FACTS ABOUT U.S. AGRICULTURE & FOOD: 2 million farms dot America’s rural landscape, and 98% are operated by families – individuals, family partnerships or family corporations (America’s Diverse Family Farms, 2020 Edition). One U.S. farm feeds 166 people annually in the U.S. and abroad. The global population is expected to increase by 2.2 billion by 2050, which means the world’s farmers will have to grow about 70% more food than what is now produced. About 11% of U.S. farmers are serving or have served in the military. Cattle and calves, corn, and soybeans are the top three U.S. farm products. 86% of U.S. agricultural products are produced on family farms or ranches. Farming accounts for about 1% of the U.S. gross domestic product. After accounting for input costs, farmers and ranchers receive only 8 cents out of every dollar spent on food at home and away from home. The rest goes for costs beyond the farm gate: wages and materials for production, processing, marketing, transportation, and distribution. In 2018, $139.6 billion worth of American agricultural products were exported around the world. The United States sells more food and fiber to world markets than we import, creating a positive agricultural trade balance. 25% of all farmers are beginning farmers (in business less than 10 years); their average age is 46. About 8% of U.S. farms market foods locally through direct-to-consumer or intermediated sales. Americans enjoy a food supply that is abundant, affordable and among the world’s safest, thanks in large part to the efficiency and productivity of America’s farm and ranch families. The pounds of feed (grain, forage, etc.) a dairy cow needs to eat to produce 100 pounds of milk has decreased by more than 40% on average in the last 40 years. One acre of land can grow a variety of crops, including 50,000 pounds of strawberries or 2,784 pounds (46.4 bushels) of wheat. Farm programs typically cost each American just pennies per meal and account for less than one-half of 1% of the total U.S. budget. Compared to 2012, the number of farm operators of Spanish, Hispanic or Latino origin is higher, up 13% to 112,451. There also are more Black farm operators (45,508, up 2%) today compared to 2012. More than half of America’s farmers intentionally provide habitat for wildlife. Deer, moose, birds and other species have shown significant population increases for decades. One day’s production for a high-producing dairy cow yields 4.8 pounds of butter, 8.7 gallons of ice cream or 10.5 pounds of cheese. Careful stewardship by America’s food producers has spurred a 34% decline in erosion of cropland by wind and water since 1982. On any given day, one in eight Americans will eat pizza. Americans throw away about 25% of the food they purchase for at-home consumption. Farm and ranch families comprise less than 2% of the U.S. population. A whopping 40% of all food grown and produced in the U.S. is never eaten. Total U.S. corn yield (tons per acre) has increased more than 360% since 1950. About 25% of U.S. farm products by value are exported each year. 24  P a g e | 25 Of the 10% of disposable income Americans spend on food each year, 46% is for food eaten at home and 54% is for food eaten away from home. Women make up 36% of the total number of U.S. farm operators; 56% of all farms have at least one female decision-maker. Many Americans celebrate holidays with food, spending a total of nearly $14 billion each year. Source: American Farm Bureau Foundation - https://www.fb.org/newsroom/fast-facts Source: USDA – Economic Research Service – U.S. and State Fact Sheets – Data updated December 13, 2022 Source: https://data.ers.usda.gov/reports.aspx?ID=17854 U.S Population 2021 – Rural population – 46,082,589 2021 – Urban population – 285,811,156 2021 – Total population – 331,893,745 Texas Population 2021 – 29,527,941 [change from 2020-2021 = +1.3%] UNITED STATES AGRICULTURE – CASH RECEIPTS BY COMMODITY: Top 20 commodities in terms for cash receipts in 2021 Rank Commodity Cash Receipts 1. Cattle and calves $72,873,644,000 2. Corn $71,082,495,000 3. Soybeans $49,156,013,000 4. Dairy products, Milk $41,756,381,000 5. Broilers $31,520,148,000 6. Hogs $28,020,468,000 7. Miscellaneous Crops $21,609,424,000 8. Wheat $11,924,141,000 9. Chicken eggs $8,677,335,000 10. Hay $8,628,163,000 11. Floriculture $6,430,424,000 12. Cotton lint, Upland $6,224,322,000 13. All other animals and $6,096,740,000 products 14. Turkeys $5,891,373,000 15. Grapes $5,530,652,000 16. Almonds $5,028,320,000 17. Potatoes $3,676,246,000 18. Strawberries $3,422,240,000 19. Rice $3,264,147,000 20. Apples $3,032,674,000 25  P a g e | 26 UNITED STATES AGRICULTURE – TOP 5 EXPORTS BY CASH RECEIPTS: Top 5 agriculture exports, estimates, 2021 Rank Exports Exports in Million dollars 1. Soybeans $27,394.5 1 2. Other plan products $20,330.3 3. Corn $18,629.2 2 4. Feeds and other feed grains $11,539.3 5. Beef and veal $10,523.9 1 Includes sweeteners and products, other horticulture products, planting seeds, cocoa, coffee, and other processed foods 2 Includes processed feeds, fodder, barley, oats, rye and sorghum TOP 10 PRODUCE CROPS IN GROWN IN THE UNITED STATES: 1. Corn. It is the most widely produced feed grain in the United States, the majority of which goes towards feeding livestock. Over 90 million acres of corn are grown for feed, industrial products, and food and beverage products like cereal, alcohol, and sweeteners. 2. Cotton. The U.S. is the world’s third largest producer of cotton, one of the most important textile fabrics. The U.S. is the world’s leading exporter of cotton, and the industry contributes $21 billion a year to the economy and generates over 125,000 jobs. 3. Fruit. Many different fruits are grown in the U.S., including apples, berries, citrus, and melons. Together with the tree nut industry, the fruit industry contributes over $25 billion in farm cash receipts. 4. Tree Nuts. Tree nuts like almonds, pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, and pistachios are grown many different places in the U.S. Along with the fruit industry, the tree nut industry makes up 13 percent of the total receipts for all agricultural commodities and 7 percent for all crops. However, both the fruit and tree nuts industries face competition from foreign imports. 5. Rice. Rice is grown exclusively in the southern U.S. and California with three different types of rice grown, short-, medium-, and long-grain. The U.S. exports approximately half of its rice sales volume to global markets. 6. Soybean and Oil Crops. The U.S. is the leading soybean producer and exporter in the world. Soybeans account for about 90% of U.S. oilseed production, but we also produce other oilseeds, such as peanuts, sunflower seed, canola, and flax. 7. Sugar and Sweeteners. The U.S. is both one of the world’s largest producers of sugar and other sweeteners and one of the greatest consumers. Sugars can come from sugarcane, sugarbeets and high fructose corn syrup. 8. Vegetables. The vegetable industry is comprised of a variety of sectors. It can be split into vegetables grown for processing and those grown for fresh market sales. Upper Midwestern states like Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan and Pacific states like California, Washington, and Oregon grow the most acreage of vegetables for processing, while Florida, California, Arizona, Georgia and New York have the most acreage growing vegetables for the fresh market. 9. Pulses. Pulses include beans, peas, legumes, and peanuts. Along with the vegetable industry, pulses account for approximately 14 percent of U.S. cash crop receipts. 26  P a g e | 27 10. Wheat. Wheat is the third largest field crop in the U.S., both in acreage and gross farm receipts. About half of the U.S.’s wheat production is exported. Source: USDA Economic Research Service [ERS] - https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops.aspx Source: https://agamerica.com/blog/power-of-10-top-10-produce-crops-in-the-u-s/ TEXAS AGRICULTURE – CASH RECEIPTS BY COMMODITY: Top 20 commodities in terms for cash receipts in 2021 Rank Commodity Cash Receipts 1. Cattle and calves $10,053,767,000 2. Dairy products, Milk $2,833,922,000 3. Broilers $2,518,594,000 4. Cotton lint, Upland $2,216,929,000 5. Corn $1,398,208,000 6. Miscellaneous crops $820,260,000 7. Hay $795,547,000 8. Sorghum $601,701,000 9. Chicken eggs $494,210,000 10. Wheat $480,666,000 11. Cottonseed $406,542,000 12. All other animals and $384,090,000 products 13. Hogs $360,054,000 14. Floriculture $253,220,000 15. Rice $193,831,000 16. Peanuts $140,977,000 17. Potatoes $95,018,000 18. Onions $94,296,000 19. Turkeys $87,631,000 20. Watermelons $69,214,000 Source: https://data.ers.usda.gov/reports.aspx?ID=17843#P0113ee139ec04daa8d6ef55af282ce3f_2 _17iT0R0x43 27  P a g e | 28 2021 TEXAS STATE AGRICULTURE OVERVIEW: Farms Operations† Farm Operations - Area Operated, Measured in Acres / Operation 510 Farm Operations - Number of Operations 247,000 Farm Operations - Acres Operated 126,000,000 Livestock Inventory † Cattle, Cows, Beef - Inventory ( First of Jan. 2022 ) 4,475,000 Cattle, Cows, Milk - Inventory ( First of Jan. 2022 ) 625,000 Cattle, Incl Calves - Inventory ( First of Jan. 2022 ) 12,700,000 Cattle, On Feed - Inventory ( First of Jan. 2022 ) 2,930,000 Goats, Angora - Inventory ( First of Jan. 2022 ) 61,000 Goats, Meat & Other - Inventory ( First of Jan. 2022 ) 750,000 Goats, Milk - Inventory ( First of Jan. 2022 ) 24,000 Sheep, Incl Lambs - Inventory ( First of Jan. 2022 ) 700,000 Hogs - Inventory ( First of Dec. 2021 ) 1,090,000 Chickens, Broilers - Production, Measured in Head 706,600,000 Milk Production † Milk - Production, Measured in Lb / Head 25,079 Milk - Production, Measured in $ 2,839,018,000 Milk - Production, Measured in Lb 15,599,000,000 TEXAS – CROPS RANKED BY VALUE OF PRODUCTION: 1. Cotton 9. Pecans 17. Spinach 25. Sugarcane 2. Hay & 10. Watermelons 18. Oats 26. Bedding Plants, Herbaceous Haylage Perennial 3. Corn 11. Grapefruit 19. Cucumbers 27. Bedding Plants, Annual 4. Sorghum 12. Soybeans 20. Mushrooms 28. Foliage Plants 5. Wheat 13. Cabbage 21. Propagative Material 6. Peanuts 14. Pumpkins 22. Flowering Plants, Potted 7. Rice 15. Oranges 23. Haylage, Alfalfa 8. Potatoes 16. Sunflowers 24. Cut Flowers Source: 2021 State Agriculture Overview - https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/state Overview. php?state=TEXAS TEXAS AGRICULTURE FACTS: The economic impact of the Texas food and fiber sector totals about $100 billion. Each U.S. farmer grows enough food and fiber for 155 people in the United States and abroad. 86% of the land in Texas is in some form of agricultural production. 98.5% of Texas’ agricultural operations are still run by individuals or families. Agriculture employs one out of every seven working Texans. 28  P a g e | 29 Texas ranks first in the nation in the number of cattle and calves, accounting for 13% of the U.S. total. Texas also ranks first in the number of cattle operations and the value of all cattle and calves. Texas is the top producer of cotton, hay, sheep, goats, mohair and horses. Some of the state’s top crops include; vegetables, citrus, corn, wheat, peanuts, pecans, sorghum and rice. Texas is one of the leading exporters of agricultural commodities. Some of Texas’ top agricultural exports are live animals and meat, cotton and cottonseed, feed grains and products, hides and skins, wheat and products, and feeds and fodder. The Texas Department of Agriculture’s Family Land Heritage Program has recognized more than 4,700 farms and ranches in 232 counties for being maintained in continuous agricultural operation by the same family for 100 years or more. Source: https://www.texasagriculture.gov/Portals/0/DigArticle/1930/Ag%20Week%20Fact%20Sheet %203%2013%2013.pdf Source: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Quick_Stats/Ag_Overview/stateOverview.php?state=TEXAS BEEF FACTS: In Texas, cattle are ranked first in terms of cash receipts with a value of over $10 billion. Texas leads the nation in beef exports. Beef is ranked as the 4th commodity exported from the United States with a $72.9 billion valuation. The largest three exports markets for U.S. Beef are: 1) South Korea; 2) Japan, and; 3) China. The top U.S. Beef Variety Meats Export Markets: Mexico: Tripe Egypt: Liver Peru: Livers Japan: Togues South Africa: Livers and Kidneys China and Hong Kong: Tripe Twelve percent (13%) of the cattle in the United States are in Texas. Texas has more cattle than 43 states have people. Texas has the 14th largest cattle inventory in the world. Texas accounts for 15.5% of the cash receipts for cattle in the United States. Texas and Nebraska are the only 2 states with $10 billion in cash receipts for cattle. Texas has had 11 million head of cattle or more every year since 1967 until 2014. The largest cattle inventory ever recorded in Texas was in 1975 at 16.6 million head. Texas has more cattle on feed than Australia and Canada COMBINED. The Humane Slaughter Act (passed in 1958 and updated in 1978 and 2002) dictates strict animal handling and slaughtering standards for packing plants. These facilities are under continuous federal inspection, with Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) personnel present in plants to ensure compliance with all regulations. Beef Choices - Beef producers offer a variety of beef choices to meet the changing lifestyles and nutritional needs of consumers. While each offer something different, they all share three common values: taste, nutrition and safety. Grain-fed Beef – Grain-finished cattle, like grass finished, spend most of their lives eating grass and forage in pastures. When beef is grain-finished, cattle are free to eat a balanced diet of grain, 29  P a g e | 30 local feed ingredients, like potato hulls or sugar beets, and hay or forage at the feedyard. Similarly, grain-finished cattle may or may not be given FDA-approved antibiotics to treat, prevent or control disease and/or growth-promoting hormones. Grass-finished Beef – Grass-finished cattle spend their entire lives grazing and eating from pastures. These cattle may also eat forage, hay, or silage at the feedyard. As well, grass finished cattle may or may not be given FDA-approved antibiotics to treat, prevent or control disease and/or growth- promoting hormones. Certified Organic Beef – Certified organic beef, designated by the official label, comes from cattle that have never received any antibiotics or growth-promoting hormones. These cattle may spend time at the feedyard and can be either grass-finished or grain-finished if the USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service certifies the feed as 100% organically grown. Naturally Raised Beef- Naturally raised beef comes from cattle that have never received antibiotics or growth-promoting hormones. This beef may spend time at a feedyard and can be either grain- finished or grass-finished. Source: https://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/cuts/grass-vs-grain Source: https://tscra.org/2021-beef-exports-shatter-previous-records-2/ Source: https://data.ers.usda.gov/reports.aspx?ID=17843#Pda94f3f0510f4851836c6fa668ca3df1_2_ 17iT0R0x43 DAIRY PRODUCTS – MILK INDUSTRY FACTS: A dairy cow produces an average of 6.3 gallons of milk daily and 350,000 glasses of milk in a lifetime. Cows eat about 100 pounds of food every day and drink 50 gallons of water. To get the amount of calcium in an 8-ounce glass of milk, you’d have to eat one-fourth cup of broccoli, seven oranges or six slices of wheat bread. Farmers measure milk in pounds, not gallons. A cow will produce an average of 6.3 gallons of milk each day and more than 2,300 gallons yearly. U.S. dairy farms produce roughly 21 billion gallons of milk annually. The average American consumes almost 25 gallons of milk a year. June is National Dairy Month. The greatest amount of milk produced in one year was 59,298 pounds by a Holstein cow named Robthom Sue Paddy. A cow is more valuable for its milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt than for its beef. Home delivery of milk (i.e., the milkman) started in 1942 as a war conservation measure. More than 1,000 new dairy products are introduced each year. In an average day, a dairy cow will eat about 90 pounds of feed, drink a bathtub full of water (about 80 gallons) and produce 5 to 6 gallons of milk. That’s about 80 glasses of milk! About 500 gallons of blood need to pass through the udder to produce 1 gallon of milk! It takes approximately 350 squirts to make a gallon of milk. 39 cups of milk to make 1 pound of butter 1 cup of milk to make 8oz. of yogurt 11 cups of milk to make ½ gallon of ice cream 30  P a g e | 31 History of the Dairy Industry - In the early 1600s, immigrants brought cattle with them from Europe to supply their families with dairy products and meat. In rural America, milk and milk products were made primarily for home or local use. However, with the movement of population from the farms to the cities, it became necessary to mass produce and improve the quality of milk. Significant inventions such as commercial milk bottles, milking machines, tuberculin tests for cattle, pasteurization equipment, refrigerated milk tank cars, and automatic bottling machines all contributed towards making milk a healthful and commercially viable product. With the passage of the Meat Inspection Act of 1890 and its amendment in 1906, Congress authorized USDA inspectors to enforce standards of sanitation and hygiene in the meat and dairy industries. Today, dairy farming uses the latest scientific research to provide consumers with a safe product while also boosting efficiency, taking care of their animals, and protecting our environment and natural resources. Breeds of Dairy Cows - There are six main breeds of dairy cows: Ayshire: Originated in Scotland and is known for strength and efficiency of milk production. Brown Swiss: Originated from Switzerland and is known for being hearty and rugged, having superior feet and legs, as well as its very quiet behavior. Guernsey: Originated in the English Channel and is known to be hearty and adaptable and for the yellow color of their milk. Holstein: Originated in Europe and has the highest milk production of all dairy breeds. Jersey: Originated in the Island of Jersey (off the coast of France) and is known to produce more butterfat than any other diary breed. Milking Shorthorn: Originated in England and is known for high levels of fertility, grazing efficiency, and ease of management. Nutrition - Milk contains 16 essential nutrients: 1. Calcium: Aids in the formation and maintenance of strong bones and healthy teeth. 2. Folate: Aids in red blood cell formation. 3. Magnesium: Factor in bone and teeth health, conversion of food into energy and tissue formation. 4. Niacin: Aids in normal growth and is a factor in the conversion of food into energy and tissue formation, including bones. 5. Pantothenic acid: Factor in the conversion of food into energy and tissue formation, including bones. 6. Phosphorus: Factor in the formation and maintenance of strong bones and healthy teeth. 7. Potassium: Aids in the correct functioning of nerves and muscles. 8. Protein: Helps build and repair body tissues, including muscles and bones, and plays a role in the creation of antibodies which fight infection. 9. Riboflavin: Factor in the conversion of food into energy and tissue formation. 10. Selenium: Factor in the correct functioning of the immune system, due to its antioxidant effect. 11. Thiamine: Releases energy from carbohydrate and aids normal growth. 12. Vitamin A: Aids bone and tooth development. Also aids in the maintenance of night vision and healthy skin. 13. Vitamin B12: Aids in red blood cell formation. 14. Vitamin B6: Factor in the conversion of food into energy and tissue formation, including bones. 31  P a g e | 32 15. Vitamin D: Enhances calcium and phosphorus absorption, on which strong bones and teeth depend. 16. Zinc: Factor in tissue formation, including bones, and conversion of food into energy. Source: https://farmflavor.com/lifestyle/dairy-fun-facts/ Source: https://www.nal.usda.gov/exhibits/speccoll/exhibits/show/the-american-dairy-industry/early- history POULTRY INDUSTRY – FACTS: In Texas, broilers and eggs are the second-largest agricultural commodity produced in the state. Total market value of all poultry and eggs sold in Texas in 2017 was $2.991 billion. Overall U.S. poultry and egg sales in 2017 were $49.2 billion. TX ranks 6th in the nation in broiler production, with most of the chicken farms East and Central TX According to the National Chicken Council and USPOULTRY, Texas’ chicken industry created 38,237 direct jobs in the state and an additional 107,698 jobs through related services and industries. The economic impact from companies that grow and process chicken in Texas totaled $38.72 billion, generating about $1.78 billion in federal taxes and $994 million in state and local taxes. According to USPOULTRY and United Egg Producers, businesses such as banks, real estate firms, accountants and printing derive income from the egg industry. Texas egg-laying farms and related companies employ more than 3,400 people and create an economic impact of $1.134 billion. The egg industry generates $20.74 million in federal taxes and an additional $13.20 million in state and local taxes. Overall, the poultry and egg sectors employ as many as 40,508 people across the state and an additional 121,249 related jobs. The estimated economic impact is more than $43 billion and supports more than 161,000 jobs, poultry, and egg production in Texas. There are approximately 280 million hens in the United States laying 50 billion eggs each year. Chickens begin laying eggs at 20 weeks old. Hens lay approximately 286 eggs per year (about an egg every 1.5 days). It takes 21 days for chicks to hatch, and most eggs are laid between 8-11 a.m. Shell color has no effect on nutrient content as nutrient content is determined by the hen’s feed. The most common white egg layer is the White Leghorn Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse, with one egg containing six grams of high-quality protein and all 9 essential amino acids, for 70 calories. Each year in the United States, 250 eggs are consumed by the average American. Candling and Grading: The eggs are passed over a very strong light called candling. The strong light allows a worker, called the Candler, to inspect the exterior and contents without cracking the shell. The Candler grades the eggs AA, A or B, based on the quality of the interior and exterior. Eggs that don't meet the guidelines are removed. Sizing: Eggs can be Jumbo, Extra Large, Large, Medium, Small or Peewee. Generally, a hen lays larger eggs as she gets older. The breed of the hen also is a factor in egg size, along with nutrition, and environment. Turkey meat production in the United States during January-September 2022 was 3.91 billion pounds, down about 7 percent from a year earlier. 32  P a g e | 33 In 2021, more than 216 million turkeys were raised on about 2,500 farms across the United States. The Broad-breasted White is the most commonly, domesticated breed of turkey. On average, it takes 75-80 pounds of feed to raise a 38-pound tom turkey. A turkey hen usually takes 14 weeks and weighs 15.5 pounds when processed. A turkey tom takes roughly 18 weeks to reach a market weight of 38 pounds. Source: Poultry significantly impacts U.S., Texas economy, By Jennifer Dorsett Source: https://texasfarmbureau.org/poultry-significantly-impacts-u-s-texas-economy/ Source: https://www.eatturkey.org/raising-turkeys/ COTTON FACTS: Texas leads the U.S. in cotton production, and it is our leading cash crop, ranking only behind the beef and nursery industries in total cash receipts. Texas annually produces about 25% of the entire U.S. crop and plants over 6 million acres! That’s over 9,000 square miles of cotton fields. When accounting for everything from the cotton farms to the textile mill, the cotton industry in the U.S. alone is a $25 billion annual market and supports about 400,000 American jobs. American cotton farmers receive a subsidy of $230 per acre of cotton crop. To put that into perspective, that is about five times as much as farmers receive per acre of cereal crop. The top states for cotton production were Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, California, Arkansas, North Carolina and Louisiana. In 2006, cotton farmers in the U.S. produced the third largest crop in history, even though there was a severe drought that year. The record crop is attributed to advances in genetic modification, as well as improvements in cotton pickers and cotton picker parts. The U.S. produces 20 percent of the world’s cotton. We are second only to China, which produces about 24 percent. Cotton is typically measured in 500-pound bales. U.S. currency is not actually made from paper. In fact, it is about 75 percent cotton, and 25 percent linen. All the cotton the U.S. produces is grown on 3,500 different farms, most of which are located in 14 key cotton-growing states. One Bale of Cotton Can Make: 215 Jeans 1,217 Men's T-Shirts 4,321 Mid-Calf Socks 249 Bed Sheets 1,256 Pillowcases 6,436 Women's Knit Briefs 409 Men's Sport Shirts 2,104 Boxer Shorts 21,960 Women's Handkerchiefs 690 Terry Bath Towels 2,419 Men's Briefs 313,600 $100 Bills 765 Men's Dress Shirts 3,085 Diapers History of Cotton - No one knows exactly how old cotton is. Scientists searching Open Cotton Boll caves in Mexico found bits of cotton bolls and pieces of cotton cloth that proved to be at least 7,000 years old. They also found that the cotton itself was much like that grown in America today. In the Indus River Valley in Pakistan, cotton was being grown, spun, and woven into cloth 3,000 years BC. At about the same time, natives of Egypt’s Nile valley were making and wearing cotton 33  P a g e | 34 clothing. Arab merchants brought cotton cloth to Europe about 800 A.D. When Columbus discovered America in 1492, he found cotton growing in the Bahama Islands. By 1500, cotton was known generally throughout the world. Cotton seed are believed to have been planted in Florida in 1556 and in Virginia in 1607. By 1616, colonists were growing cotton along the James River in Virginia. Cotton was first grown in Texas by Spanish missionaries. A report of the missions at San Antonio in 1745 indicates that several thousand pounds of cotton were produced annually, then spun and woven by mission craftsmen Eli Whitney, a native of Massachusetts, secured a patent on the cotton gin in 1793, though patent office records indicate that the first cotton gin may have been built by a machinist named Noah Homes two years before Whitney’s patent was filed. The gin, short for engine, could do the work 10 times faster than by hand. The gin made it possible to supply large quantities of cotton fiber to the fast-growing textile industry. Cotton By-Products - There are three primary products derived from cotton production: cotton lint, linters, and cottonseed. Cotton Lint - Raw fiber from the cotton plant which is pressed into bales at the cotton gin. Bales are purchased by textile mills and processed in stages into yarn and cloth. Linters - Short fibers that cling to the seed. Provide cellulose for making items like plastics, paper products and cosmetics. Cottonseed - About 2/3 of harvested crop is composed of the seed, which is crushed to separate its three products: oil, meal, and hulls. 1) Cottonseed Oil - The oil is the cottonseed’s most valuable by-product. It is used in cooking oil, shortening, and salad dressing and in preparation of snack foods like chips, crackers, and cookies. Products such as soaps, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and textile finishes, also contain cottonseed oil; 2) Meal - Meal is the second most valuable by-product of cottonseed. The meal is high in protein and used to feed all classes of livestock and poultry; and, 3) Hulls - Cotton hulls are used for feed, fertilizer, fuel, and packing. Source: http://cotton.tamu.edu/funfacts.html#:~:text=Texas%20annually%20produces%20 about%2025, square%20miles%20of%20cotton%20fields. Source: https://certipik.com/2015/12/01/ten-interesting-facts-about-the-cotton-industry/ CORN FACTS: Texas corn growers plant more than 2 million acres annually, with a yield an average of 105 bushels per acre and averaged more than 285 million bushels annually in the past 5 years. Corn typically takes approximately 120 days to reach maturity; however, different corn hybrids take different lengths of time to reach maturity. Once corn reaches maturity, it is then harvested. Similar to planting season, harvest season varies from region to region and greatly depends on weather conditions. Depending on geographical location, farmers typically begin harvesting corn as early as July and as late as November in the state of Texas. 34  P a g e | 35 Field, or dent, corn is the most widely grown corn in the U.S. and makes up 99% of corn production. Field corn is harvested after the ear reaches physical maturity. Products such as livestock feed, ethanol, plastics, cornstarch, and many more are made with field corn. Sweet corn is the full-kerneled product that we all love to eat and see on the shelves of our grocery stores. This corn is harvested before it reaches physical maturity to retain the sweet flavor and juice. Out of all corn produced in the U.S., only 1% is made for human consumption. Specialty and white corn are typically grown for specific purposes. White corn contains higher levels of starch, which make it perfect to be used in corn chips, tortillas, and other popular food products. Other types of specialty corn include: High-starch Corn, High-oil Corn, Waxy corn, and High-lysine Corn – all of which are designed for certain uses. Domestic ethanol producers are turning corn into environmentally-friendly, renewable fuel that people use in cars and other engines. Ethanol is a low-carbon based fuel that is blended with gasoline for use in many different vehicles. Ethanol production does more than produce a clean-burning fuel – it also produces a co-product called distillers grains, which is commonly fed to animals. Wet or dried distiller grains are packed with nutrients and can then be fed to livestock. Nearly all of the corn used to create ethanol in Texas is actually railed in from other states. A bushel of corn is measured by weight: 56 pounds. Corn is a vegetable, fruit, and grain - Corn is a starchy vegetable similar to potatoes, but its kernels are considered grains and can be milled into flour. But one of the less-known corn facts is that it’s also technically a fruit because it comes from the seed or flower of a plant, similar to tomatoes. And like many fruits, due to its sugar content, corn can be turned into syrup as well. Corn comes in many different colors - Color is one of the most fun facts about corn. Although we’re used to the golden yellow corn that gives our breakfast cornflakes the irresistible color, the full range of shades corn comes in is enough to create a rainbow: red, blue, purple, black, brown, pink and so many others. One of the most amazing varieties is called Calico corn and it looks like a multi-colored gem with red, yellow and brown kernels. Corn is a great gluten-free food if you’re avoiding gluten. History of Corn - Corn as we know it today would not exist if it weren't for the humans that cultivated and developed it. It is a human invention, a plant that does not exist naturally in the wild. It can only survive if planted and protected by humans. People living in central Mexico developed corn at least 7000 years ago. It was started from a wild grass called teosinte. Teosinte looked very different from our corn today. The kernels were small and were not placed close together like kernels on the husked ear of modern corn. Also known as maize Indians throughout North and South America, eventually depended upon this crop for much of their food. From Mexico maize spread north into the Southwestern United States and south down the coast to Peru. About 1000 years ago, as Indian people migrated north to the eastern woodlands of present- day North America, they brought corn with them. When European explorers, made contact with people living in North and South America, corn was a major part of the diet of most native people. When Columbus "discovered" America, he also discovered corn. But up to this time, people living in Europe did not know about corn. Source: https://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/chiwonlee/plsc211/student%20papers/articles11/A.Shanahan1 /History.html Source: https://texascorn.org/education/corn-in-texas/ 35  P a g e | 36 Source: https://www.nestle-cereals.com/uk/blog/healthy-breakfast/top-facts-about-corn HAY PRODUCTION FACTS: Texas is the leading producer of hay in the U.S. followed in rank order by Missouri, Nebraska, Montana, and Kansas. Hay or grass is the foundation of the diet for all grazing animals and can provide as much as 100% of the fodder required for an animal. Hay is usually fed to an animal in place of allowing the animal to graze on grasses in a pasture, particularly in the winter or during times when drought or other conditions make pasture unavailable. The most hay ever produced in the United States was 159.6 million tons in 1999. The United States first produced more than 100 million tons of hay in 1942. U.S. hay production has exceeded 100 million tons of hay every year since 1950. Hay is grass, legumes, or other herbaceous plants that have been cut and dried to be stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for large grazing animals raised as livestock, such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep Hay / Forage Plant Species: Warm-Season Perennial Grasses Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) spreads mainly by rhizomes (underground stems) and stolons (horizontal aboveground stems). There are numerous varieties of bermudagrass, both seeded (common, Cheyenne, Wrangler) and hybrid (Tifton 85, Coastal, Jiggs, etc.). Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) is established from seed. It is best used for grazing rather than hay production. Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum) is established from seed, is palatable and has a higher level of nutritive value than bahiagrass and some bermudagrass varieties, and it can retain its nutritive value later into the summer. Dallisgrass is also subject to ergot (Claviceps spp.) infection, which can be toxic to cattle if they eat infected seed heads. Dallisgrass can be used as a hay crop as long as it is cut before seed heads develop. Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) is better suited for hay production than for grazing because it can accumulate prussic acid in its leaves and poison livestock. Once the hay has dried enough to be safely baled, prussic acid will have volatilized to nontoxic levels. Additionally, johnsongrass has a strong potential for nitrate accumulation when subjected to stress and/or high nitrogen fertilization. Unlike prussic acid, nitrate levels do not decline after cutting or baling. Proper sampling and testing are required to ensure the hay is safe to feed. Old World bluestems (Bothriochloa ischaemum, B.bladhii, and Dichanthium spp.) include several species of grasses introduced from Europe and Asia from 1920 to 1965. Though Old World bluestems respond to good fertility, the grasses are generally persistent with little or no fertilization. Warm-Season Annual Grasses Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis and D. ischaemum) has high nutritive value and is well adapted to sandy soils. Though often considered a weedy species, it is palatable and can be used for hay production. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) can be used for pasture, silage or hay, though making hay is usually somewhat more difficult because of the large stems. Pearl millet is known to have a strong 36  P a g e | 37 potential for nitrate accumulation when subjected to stress and/or high nitrogen fertilization. As noted previously, nitrate levels do not decline after cutting or baling. Proper sampling and testing are required to ensure the hay is safe to feed. Sorghum-sudan hybrid (Sorghum bicolor x drum- mondii) grows rapidly and produces high yields and high nutritive value hay. Similar to johnsongrass, sorghum-sudangrass also has a strong potential for nitrate accumulation when subjected to stress and/or high nitrogen fertilization and can produce prussic acid under stress conditions such as drought or frost. Again, proper sampling and testing are required to ensure the hay is safe to feed. Cool-Season Annual Grasses Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) is used primarily for pasture, though it can be used for hay or silage. Ryegrass is sensitive to acid soil pH values below 5.5. It is a popular choice for late winter/early spring grazing and hay production. Oat (Avena sativa), though primarily used for grain and pasture, can also be used as a hay crop. Oat is generally more cold sensitive than other small grain species and can suffer winterkill. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is primarily used for grain and pasture though it can also be used for hay. It should be harvested at the boot to early heading stage. Rye (Secale cereale) is generally the most winter hardy of the cool-season annual grasses. Rye is also the most productive cool-season annual grass on low- fertility, well-drained sandy soils. Triticale (Triticum secale) is a cross between wheat and rye. Grain from triticale is used as a feed by the livestock industry. It can be planted earlier, often produces more forage, and has a longer grazing period than many varieties of wheat or rye. Triticale tolerates drought and pests better than wheat. Cool-Season Perennial Grasses Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) can be used for pasture, hay and/or erosion control. Tall fescue grows on a wide variety of soil types, but it performs best on loam or clay soils that have some water- holding capacity. Cool-Season Legumes Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a perennial with high yield potential and nutritive value. Alfalfa hay is very digestible and can be high in crude protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals. Alfalfa contaminated with blister beetle may cause blister beetle poisoning, which can cause colic, urinary infections, dehydration, shock, and death, especially in horses. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is a short-lived perennial that can last 2 to 3 years. It is better suited for hay production than other clovers because it grows upright and late into the season. Red clover should be reserved for well drained soils, as this legume does poorly when planted on wet soils. Arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum) can be used for grazing or for hay. It can be grazed until mid-April and harvested at the early bloom stage in mid-May. Because regrowth is usually poor, you should expect only one harvest. A mower/conditioner will help this hay dry more quickly. Mixtures of arrowleaf clover and annual ryegrass can make an excellent quality hay crop. Warm-Season Legumes Soybean (Glycine max) can be used for grazing or for hay. Unlike most other legume crops used for hay, soybean foliage and pods both provide digestible protein. Source: http://forages.tamu.edu/PDF/Hay%20Production%20in%20Texas%20E-273.pdf Source: https://hay-kings.com/blogs/top-10-lists/top-10-hay-producing-states-2020 37  P a g e | 38 Source: https://beef2live.com/story-us-hay-facts-0-213072 SORGHUM FACTS: The name “sorghum” comes from Italian “sorgo”, in turn from Latin “Syricum (granum)” meaning “grain of Syria”. Sorghum ranks fifth among the most important cereal crops of the world, after wheat, rice, corn, and barley in both total area planted and production. Sorghum grain is higher in protein and lower in fat content than corn but, does not contain carotene as corn does. Select varieties of sorghum bran have greater antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties than well-known foods such as blueberries and pomegranates, according to a new study from the University of Georgia. Grain sorghum is grown in over 66 countries, and the U.S. is the largest producer in the world. In the U.S., 46 percent of the sorghum grown is used as livestock feed. Sorghum can be grown in a wide range of soil and climatic conditions and can thrive in arid areas. Sorghum produces 2.7 gallons of ethanol per bushel. Between 30 to 35 percent of domestic U.S. sorghum goes to ethanol production. Types of Sorghum - In the U.S. there are three main types of sorghum: 1) Grain sorghum grows to about 5 feet and is used for livestock feed, biofuels, pet food and human consumption; 2) Forage sorghum grows 6 to 12 feet tall and produces more dry matter tonnage than grain sorghum. Because of its coarse stem, it’s primarily used for silage; and 3) Sweet sorghum is harvested for its juice before the mature plant forms clusters of grain. The stalks are pressed, and the juice is fermented and distilled, for the production, of biofuels. The History of Sorghum - The origin and early domestication of sorghum took place in northeast Africa, and the earliest known record of sorghum comes from an archaeological dig at Nabta Playa, near the Egyptian-Sudanese border and had been dated at 8,000 B.C. It spread throughout Africa and along the way adapted to a wide range of environments from the highlands of Ethiopia to the semi- arid Sahel. The development and spread of five different races of sorghum can, in many cases, be attributed to the movement of various tribal groups in Africa. Sorghum then spread to India and China and eventually worked its way into Australia. The first known record of sorghum in the United States comes from Ben Franklin in 1757, who wrote about its application in producing brooms. The inherent tolerance of sorghum to marginal lands and environmental conditions, its versatility as a food and feed grain, and its ability to produce high yields ensure its important role in the lives of millions of people throughout the world. Source: https://sorghumgrowers.com/sorghum-101/ WHEAT FACTS: Wheat is the number ten commodities produced in Texas. 38  P a g e | 39 Wheat is a member of the grass family that p