LIVESTOCK, DAIRY, AND POULTRY
The U.S. has a significant livestock industry, and some of the crops grown in this garden support the sector by forming the basis of animal feed. U.S. livestock farms range from large-scale operations with thousands of animals, to smaller diversified farms that may grow multiple crops in addition to raising animals. The U.S. is a global powerhouse in meat and dairy production, as well as trade, – ranking as the world’s top producer of beef, poultry, and dairy.
Did You Know?
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Beef: Cattle production is one of the most important sectors of the agricultural economy, generating over $390 $100 billion in revenue for farmers, the largest share of any single commodity. Texas is the top beef cattle producing state, followed by Kansas and Nebraska. The U.S. is also the world’s biggest consumer of beef – on average, each American eats over 50 pounds of beef per year.
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Pork: The U.S. is home to more than 60,000 pork producers who market more than 115 million hogs annually. Iowa is the top pork-producing state, followed by Minnesota and North Carolina. About a quarter of U.S. pork production is exported – Japan and Mexico are the biggest buyers.
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Poultry: American consumption of chicken has been rising rapidly in recent decades – today, the average person eats more than 50 65 pounds a year, more than double the amount in 1980. The top chicken-producing states are Georgia, Arkansas, and Alabama. Iowa is the biggest U.S. producer of eggs, and Minnesota and North Carolina rank first for turkey.
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Dairy: Milk is produced in all 50 states, but output is highest in the western and northern U.S. – California and Wisconsin are the top producers. Dairy farmers have become increasingly efficient in recent decades, leading to an increase in output even as the number of U.S. farms decreased. U.S. consumption of dairy products including butter and cheese has increased significantly in recent decades. Mozzarella and cheddar are the most popular cheese varieties in the U.S.
