Farms and Agricultural Land in Farms Service Washington, D ......1 A farm is any establishment from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were sold or would normally be sold

Sp Sy 3 (2-99)

Farms andLand in Farms

NationalAgriculturalStatisticsService

USDAWashington, D.C.

Released February 26, 1999, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Departmentof Agriculture. For information on "Farms and Land in Farms" call Brad Parks at 202-690-3229, office hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.ET.

Farm Numbers Up Slightly and Land in Farms Down Slightly

The number of farms in the United States in 1998 is estimated at 2.19 million, up fractionally from 1997. Total land in farms, at 953.8 million acres, was down 2.2 million acres from last year. The decline inland in farms continues to follow historical trends. The average farm size decreased 1 acre from 1997 to435 acres.

The U.S. number of farms in the economic sales class between $1,000-$9,999 increased 1,150 farmsduring 1998 to 1,192,200. Those with sales in the $10,000-$99,999 class decreased 3,760 farms from1997 to 642,200 in 1998. The $100,000 and over sales class increased 3,610 farms from 1997 to357,110 farms in 1998. These changes in the sales class mix of farms continues the trend of losingfarms in the $10,000-$99,999 sales class, while gaining farms in both the $1,000-$9,999 and the$100,000 and over sales classes.

The West Region showed the largest increase in number of farms, up 4,500 farms or 1.5 percent. Thelargest decrease was in the North Central Region with a loss of 3,500 farms or 0.4 percent.

Eleven States increased in farm numbers while 10 States decreased from a year ago. California showedthe largest increase with 2,000 farms while Texas, Georgia, Washington, and Ohio showed increases of1,000 farms from last year. Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Kentucky, Iowa, and North Carolina haddecreases of 1,000 farms each.

Texas remained the State with the most farms, at 226,000, up 1,000 from a year earlier. Missouri wassecond with 110,000 farms, the same as last year, followed by Iowa with 97,000 farms, down 1,000from 1997.

Texas continued to lead the nation in land in farms and ranches with 131.5 million acres, unchangedfrom 1997. Oregon, Montana, and Colorado tied for the largest decrease in agricultural land from a yearago, each decreasing 300,000 acres. There were 13 States with decreases of 100,000 acres or more inagricultural land from a year ago.

Farms and Land in Farms Agricultural Statistics BoardFebruary 1999 1 NASS, USDA

Average Farm Size in Acres, 1998

0 to 249

250 to 499

500 to 999

1000 +


Number of Farms, Land in Farms, and Average Farm Size:United States, 1988-98 1 2

YearNumberof Farms

Landin Farms

AverageFarm Size

1,000 Acres Acres

19881989199019911992199319941995199619971998

2,200,9402,174,5202,145,8202,116,7602,107,8402,201,5902,197,6902,196,4002,190,5002,190,5102,191,510

994,423990,723986,850981,736978,503968,845965,935962,515958,675956,010953,765

452456460464464440440438438436435

1 A farm is any establishment from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were sold or would normally be soldduring the year. See the Survey Procedures, page 13, that denote changes to the definition of a farm.

2 1988 - 1992 estimates are for a June 1 reference date. 1993 - 1998 estimates are for the entire calendar year.


Number of Farms: By State and United States, 1996-98State 1996 1997 1998

Number Number Number

ALAKAZARCACOCTDEFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWY

US

49,000550

7,90049,50086,00029,5004,1002,800

45,00049,0005,400

24,00079,00066,00099,00065,00092,00030,0007,200

13,7006,000

54,00082,00042,000

110,00026,50056,0003,0002,9009,500

15,50038,00059,00032,00078,00082,00038,50059,000

75025,00032,50091,000

224,00015,0006,500

49,00039,00021,00079,0009,200

2,190,500

49,000560

7,90049,00087,00029,5004,1002,800

45,00049,0005,500

24,50079,00066,00098,00065,00091,00030,0007,000

13,0006,000

53,00081,00042,000

110,00027,00055,0003,0003,0009,600

15,50038,00059,00031,50079,00083,00039,00060,000

75025,00032,50091,000

225,00015,0006,600

49,00039,00021,00079,0009,200

2,190,510

49,000560

7,90049,50089,00029,5004,1002,700

45,00050,0005,500

24,50079,00066,00097,00065,00090,00030,0006,900

12,5006,000

52,00080,00042,000

110,00027,50055,0003,0003,1009,600

16,00038,00058,00031,00080,00083,00039,50060,000

75025,00032,50091,000

226,00015,0006,700

49,00040,00021,00078,0009,200

2,191,510


Land in Farms: By State and United States, 1996-98State 1996 1997 1998

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres


US

9,700920

28,30014,90029,00032,500

380590

10,70011,4001,440

12,10027,90015,60033,00047,50014,0008,3001,3102,200

57010,60029,20011,90030,10058,50046,4006,900

420840

45,1007,8009,500

39,90014,90034,00017,5007,600

655,000

44,00012,000

132,00011,4001,3408,800

15,7003,700

16,60034,600

958,675

9,600910

28,30014,80028,70032,500

380585

10,60011,3001,440

12,00027,80015,60033,00047,50013,9008,2001,2802,200

57010,40029,10011,70030,10057,80046,4006,900

420830

45,3007,8009,500

39,70014,90034,00017,5007,700

655,000

44,00012,000

131,50011,6001,3308,800

15,7003,700

16,50034,600

956,010

9,500910

28,30014,75028,50032,200

380580

10,60011,3001,440

12,00027,80015,60033,00047,50013,9008,2001,2802,100

57010,40028,90011,60030,10057,50046,4006,900

420830

45,3007,8009,400

39,50014,90034,00017,2007,700

654,900

44,00011,900

131,50011,6001,3408,800

15,7003,700

16,40034,600

953,765


Number of Farms: Economic Sales Class by State,Region, and United States, 1998

Stateand

Region

Economic Sales ClassTotal$1,000-

$9,999$10,000-$99,999

$100,000& Over

Number Number Number Number

Northeast NY PA Other States 1

Total

North Central IL IN IA KS MI MN MO NE ND OH SD WI Total

South AL 2

AR FL 2

GA KY 2

LA 2

MS 2

NC OK TN 2

TX VA 2

Other States 2 3

Total

West CA OR 2

WA Other States 2 4

Total

US

18,40033,30024,70076,400

27,70031,00026,50024,20027,00029,50062,70014,0008,200

41,5007,000

34,000333,300

35,00027,50029,50032,50051,00019,00030,00034,00052,00069,000

153,00032,00051,000

615,500

42,60026,50025,70072,200

167,000

1,192,200

11,00017,2008,800

37,000

27,80022,50038,50027,30017,00029,50036,70022,60014,00027,30015,30025,500

304,000

11,500

9,700

14,00025,000

56,000

216,200

24,400

7,500

85,000

642,200

8,6009,5003,650

21,750

23,50012,50032,00013,5008,000

21,00010,60018,4008,800

11,20010,20018,500

188,200

10,500

7,800

10,0006,000

17,000

92,000

22,000

6,800

55,160

357,110

38,00060,00037,150

135,150

79,00066,00097,00065,00052,00080,000

110,00055,00031,00080,00032,50078,000

825,500

49,00049,50045,00050,00090,00030,00042,00058,00083,00091,000

226,00049,00061,200

923,700

89,00039,50040,000

138,660307,160

2,191,5101 CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, RI, and VT.2 Estimates not available for all sales classes.3 DE, MD, SC, and WV.4 AK, AZ, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.


Land in Farms: Economic Sales Class by State,Region, and United States, 1998

Stateand

Region


$9,999$10,000-$99,999

$100,000& Over

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres


Total


South AL 2

AR FL 2

GA KY 2

LA 2

MS 2

NC OK TN 2

TX VA 2

Other States 2 3

Total

West CA OR 2

WA Other States 2 4

Total

US

1,8002,1001,5755,475

1,7001,5001,7003,5001,9003,1007,3002,1003,4002,8002,0002,800

33,800

4,0002,2501,8003,0003,9001,8003,8002,3006,9004,800

22,0002,8005,350

64,700

3,0001,7002,600

23,70031,000

134,975

2,2002,5001,3106,010

6,0004,0009,200

16,0002,8008,500

11,60012,50014,0004,600

14,4004,800

108,400

3,300

2,400

1,90014,100

45,500

93,730

7,300

2,800

77,500

285,640

3,8003,1002,0008,900

20,10010,10022,10028,0005,700

17,30011,20031,80022,1007,500

27,6008,800

212,300

9,200

5,900

5,20013,000

64,000

128,300

18,200

10,300

183,650

533,150

7,8007,7004,885

20,385

27,80015,60033,00047,50010,40028,90030,10046,40039,50014,90044,00016,400

354,500

9,50014,75010,60011,30013,9008,200

11,6009,400

34,00011,900

131,5008,800

11,280286,730

28,50017,20015,700

230,750292,150

953,7651 CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, RI, and VT.2 Estimates not available for all sales classes.3 DE, MD, SC, and WV.4 AK, AZ, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY.



Stateand

Region


$9,999$10,000-$99,999

$100,000& Over



Total


South AL 2

AR FL 2

GA KY 2

LA 2

MS 2

NC OK TN 2

TX VA 2

Other States 2 3

Total

West CA OR 2

WA Other States 2 4

Total

US

18,70033,30024,05076,050

27,70031,50027,50024,20028,50029,50062,70013,5008,500

40,6007,000

33,600334,800

35,00026,50029,50031,90053,00019,50030,00035,00052,70069,000

154,00032,00049,900

618,000

42,00026,00024,30069,900

162,200

1,191,050

11,00017,2009,100

37,300

27,80022,00038,50027,30017,00030,50036,50023,30014,00027,50015,50026,700

306,600

12,000

9,600

14,00024,000

54,000

216,000

25,000

7,800

86,060

645,960

8,3009,5003,900

21,700

23,50012,50032,00013,5007,500

21,00010,80018,2009,000

10,90010,00018,700

187,600

10,500

7,500

10,0006,300

17,000

89,800

20,000

6,900

54,400

353,500

38,00060,00037,050

135,050

79,00066,00098,00065,00053,00081,000

110,00055,00031,50079,00032,50079,000

829,000

49,00049,00045,00049,00091,00030,00042,00059,00083,00091,000

225,00049,00061,800

923,800

87,00039,00039,000

137,660302,660




Stateand

Region


$9,999$10,000-$99,999

$100,000& Over



Total


South AL 2

AR FL 2

GA KY 2

LA 2

MS 2

NC OK TN 2

TX VA 2

Other States 2 3

Total

West CA OR 2

WA Other States 2 4

Total

US

1,9002,1001,4755,475

1,7001,5001,8003,8002,0003,1007,3002,1003,5002,8002,1002,800

34,500

4,0002,2001,8003,0004,0001,8003,7002,4007,0004,800

22,0002,8005,400

64,900

3,0001,7002,500

23,30030,500

135,375

2,2002,5001,4006,100

6,0004,1009,500

16,0002,9008,700

11,50012,70014,0004,800

14,8004,900

109,900

3,300

2,500

2,00014,000

45,500

93,985

7,300

2,900

78,500

288,485

3,7003,1002,0008,800

20,10010,00021,70027,7005,500

17,30011,30031,60022,2007,300

27,1008,800

210,600

9,300

5,800

5,10013,000

64,000

128,500

18,400

10,300

184,250

532,150

7,8007,7004,875

20,375

27,80015,60033,00047,50010,40029,10030,10046,40039,70014,90044,00016,500

355,000

9,60014,80010,60011,30013,9008,200

11,7009,500

34,00012,000

131,5008,800

11,485287,385

28,70017,50015,700

231,350293,250




Stateand

Region


$9,999$10,000-$99,999

$100,000& Over



Total


South AL 2

AR FL 2

GA KY 2

LA 2

MS 2

NC OK TN 2

TX VA 2

Other States 2 3

Total

West CA OR 2

WA Other States 2 4

Total

US

18,60032,60024,65075,850

27,00030,00027,00023,50029,80029,00061,50012,8007,400

39,0006,000

32,900325,900

35,00026,50029,50032,00052,00019,00030,00034,00050,20068,000

151,00032,00049,300

608,500

41,50025,50024,20066,350

157,550

1,167,800

11,20017,2008,500

36,900

28,50023,00041,00028,50017,00031,50038,20025,00015,10028,60017,00027,400

320,800

12,500

9,700

15,00025,500

56,000

227,400

26,000

7,700

88,500

673,600

8,2009,2003,800

21,200

23,50013,00031,00013,0007,200

21,50010,30018,2009,500

10,4009,500

18,700185,800

10,500

7,300

10,0006,300

17,000

88,100

18,500

7,100

54,000

349,100

38,00059,00036,950

133,950

79,00066,00099,00065,00054,00082,000

110,00056,00032,00078,00032,50079,000

832,500

49,00049,50045,00049,00092,00030,00042,00059,00082,00091,000

224,00049,00062,500

924,000

86,00038,50039,000

136,550300,050




Stateand

Region


$9,999$10,000-$99,999

$100,000& Over



Total


South AL 2

AR FL 2

GA KY 2

LA 2

MS 2

NC OK TN 2

TX VA 2

Other States 2 3

Total

West CA OR 2

WA Other States 2 4

Total

US

1,9002,1001,4905,490

1,7001,4001,8003,8002,2003,1007,3002,1003,4002,8002,1002,700

34,400

4,1002,2001,8002,9004,0001,8003,6002,4007,3004,800

22,0002,8005,990

65,690

3,1001,7002,500

20,91028,210

133,790

2,2002,5001,4006,100

6,4004,300

10,60016,8003,1009,000

11,90013,30014,5005,200

15,7005,100

115,900

3,500

2,700

2,10014,000

46,000

95,500

7,600

3,100

79,700

297,200

3,7003,0002,0358,735

19,8009,900

20,60026,9005,300

17,10010,90031,00022,0006,900

26,2008,800

205,400

9,200

5,800

5,00012,700

64,000

127,500

18,300

10,100

186,050

527,685

7,8007,6004,925

20,325

27,90015,60033,00047,50010,60029,20030,10046,40039,90014,90044,00016,600

355,700

9,70014,90010,70011,40014,0008,300

11,9009,500

34,00012,000

132,0008,800

11,490288,690

29,00017,50015,700

231,760293,960



Percent of Farms, Land in Farms and Average Farm Size: By Economic SalesClass, United States, 1996-98

EconomicSalesClass

Percent of Total Average Size Farm(Acres)Farms Land

1996 1996 1996

$1,000 - $2,499 $2,500 - $4,999 $5,000 - $9,999 $10,000 - $19,999 $20,000 - $39,999 $40,000 - $99,999$100,000 - $249,999$250,000 - $499,999$500,000 +

Total

26.214.512.610.59.4

10.99.53.82.6

100.0

4.34.45.36.07.5

17.525.313.815.9

100.0

72133184250349703

1,1661,5892,676

438

1997 1997 1997

$1,000 - $2,499 $2,500 - $4,999 $5,000 - $9,999 $10,000 - $19,999 $20,000 - $39,999 $40,000 - $99,999$100,000 - $249,999$250,000 - $499,999$500,000 +

Total

27.414.612.49.99.0

10.69.04.13.0

100.0

4.44.45.45.87.4

17.024.014.217.4

100.0

70132190256359700

1,1641,5122,531

436

1998 1998 1998

$1,000 - $2,499 $2,500 - $4,999 $5,000 - $9,999 $10,000 - $19,999 $20,000 - $39,999 $40,000 - $99,999$100,000 - $249,999$250,000 - $499,999$500,000 +

Total

27.614.712.19.98.9

10.58.94.33.1

100.0

4.34.45.55.87.3

16.823.514.817.6

100.0

68130198255357696

1,1491,4982,471

435


Average Farm Size: By State and United States, 1996-98State 1996 1997 1998

Number Number Number


US

1981,6733,582

301337

1,10293

21123823326750435323633373115227718216195

196356283274

2,208829

2,30014588

2,910205161

1,24719141545512987

2001,354

132589760206180403176210

3,761

438

1961,6253,582

302330

1,10293

20923623126249035223633773115327318316995

196359279274

2,141844

2,30014086

2,923205161

1,26018941044912887

2001,354

132584773202180403176209

3,761

436

1941,6253,582

298320

1,09293

21523622626249035223634073115427318616895

200361276274

2,091844

2,30013586

2,831205162

1,27418641043512887

1961,354

131582773200180393176210

3,761

435


Reliability of Data in this Report

Survey Procedures: These data were collected by the National Agricultural Statistics Service during the June Agricultural Survey and the Fall Agricultural Survey using sampling procedures to ensureevery farm operator had a chance of being selected. Two samples of farm operators are selected for June, whileonly the area sample is surveyed in the Fall. First, NASS maintains a list of farms which are classified andsampled by size and type. Larger farms are selected with greater frequency but all farms are represented. A secondsample, used in June and the Fall consists of area segments of land scientifically selected from aerial photography. Each June and December, highly trained interviewers locate each selected land segment and identify every farmoperating land within the sample segment's boundaries. The names associated with those farms found in the areasegments are matched against the list of farms; those not found on the list represent all farms not on the NASS list. This methodology is known as multiple frame sampling, with an area sample used to measure incompleteness ofthe list. The area segments also provide independent indications of number of farms and land in farms.

Beginning in 1995, interviewers counted operations having 5 or more horses or ponies and no other agriculturalsales as horse farms. An operation with 1 or more horses with agricultural sales of at least $1,000, qualified as afarm. Beginning in 1997 the Fall Agricultural Survey was added to estimate all operations qualifying as a farmduring the year. Two new industries, maple syrup and short rotation woody crop farms were added beginning in1997 as a result of the new North American Industry Classification System. These changes are a continuing effortto have comparability with the Census of Agriculture farm definition.

All the changes in the farm definition beginning in 1995 were carried back to 1993 and included in the 1993-98estimates. This change ensured comparability between the Census of Agriculture data and the annually publishedNASS estimates and also provided users a consistent data series. Because of these changes in the farm definition,the official estimates show a level difference in the number of farms between 1992 and 1993 in some States.

Estimation Procedures: National, Regional, and State data were reviewed for reasonableness and consistency. Each State Statistical Office submits its analysis to the Agricultural Statistics Board(ASB) which prepares the estimates for publication. Farm numbers and land in farm estimates are based on surveyresults and the historical relationship of official estimates to the survey results.

Revision Policy: Farm numbers information is subject to revision the following year and following review of the five-year Census of Agriculture. The basis for revision must be supported by additional datathat directly affect the level of the estimate. A historical publication with revisions for 1993-97 was publishedJanuary 19, 1999.

Reliability: Two types of errors, sampling and nonsampling, are possible in an estimate based on a sample survey. Both types affect the "precision" of the estimates.

Sampling error occurs because a complete census is not taken. The sampling error measures the variation inestimates from the average of all possible samples. An estimate of 100 with a sampling error of 1 would mean thatchances are 19 out of 20 that the estimates from all possible samples averaged together would be between 98 and102; which is the survey estimate, plus or minus two times the sampling error. The sampling error expressed as apercent of the estimate is called the relative sampling error. The relative sampling error for the U.S. number offarms was just above 1 percent and just above 1 percent for land in farms. The sampling error for total number offarms and total land in farms is less than the sampling error for each component of the total, such as number offarms by economic sales class. Relative sampling errors by economic sales class generally ranged from 2.2 to 3.5percent for number of farms and 2.6 to 7.9 percent for land in farms at the U.S. level.

Nonsampling errors can occur in complete censuses as well as sample surveys. They are caused by the inability toobtain correct information from each person sampled, differences in interpreting questions or definitions, andmistakes in coding or processing the data. Special efforts are taken at each step of the survey to minimizenonsampling errors.


Terms and Definition

A farm is defined as "any establishment from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were sold orwould normally be sold during the year". Government payments are included in sales. Institutional farms,experimental and research farms, and Indian Reservations are included as farms. Places with their entireacreage enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, set aside, or other government programs areconsidered operating farms.

Land in farms is all land operated by farms during the year. It includes crop and livestock acreage,wasteland, woodland, pasture, land in summer fallow, idle cropland, and land enrolled in the ConservationReserve Program and other set aside or commodity acreage programs. It excludes public, industrial, andgrazing association land and nonagricultural land. It excludes all land operated by establishments notqualifying as farms.

Economic sales classes are based on the gross value of sales, which includes sales of agricultural productssuch as crops, livestock, horses, honey, furs, fish, nursery and greenhouse products, rabbits, etc. Governmentprogram payments from the previous year are also included.

The next "Farms and Land in Farms" report will be released at 3 p.m. ET on February 18, 2000.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs on the basisof race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and maritalor family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who requirealternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) shouldcontact the USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, WhittenBuilding, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voiceor TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

ACCESS TO REPORTS!!

For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data products, and services:

INTERNET ACCESS

All NASS reports are available free of charge on the worldwide Internet. For access, connect to the Internetand go to the NASS Home Page at: http://www.usda.gov/nass/. Select “Today’s Reports” or Publicationsand then Reports by Calendar or Publications and then Search, by Title or Subject.

E-MAIL SUBSCRIPTION

All NASS reports are available by subscription free of charge direct to your e-mail address. Send an e-mailmessage to: [email protected]. In the body of the message type the word: list.

AUTOFAX ACCESS

NASSFax service is available for some reports from your fax machine. Please call 202-720-2000, using thehandset attached to your fax. Respond to the voice prompts. Document 0411 is a list of available reports.

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ASSISTANCE

For assistance with general agricultural statistics or further information about NASS or its products orservices, contact the Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 800-727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail:[email protected].

Documents

Farms and Agricultural Land in Farms Service Washington, D ......1 A farm is any establishment from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were sold or would normally be sold