Top U.S. States With The Most Farmland

Many states produce the food that average American consumers are eating on a daily basis.

This blog post will provide information on what products farmers are growing on agricultural land, as well as a ranking of the U.S. states with the most amount of farmland.

What crops are grown the most on farmland?

The high diversity of climate throughout the United States allows this country to be home to a variety of farms. It’s no surprise, then, that the types of crops grown at the highest volume in each state can vary significantly. However, this is not only largely the result of differing weather patterns and soil quality but also regional agriculture laws, practices, and politics.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, in addition to cotton and livestock barn production of cattle, chicken, sheep, and pigs, certain crops dominate production. These crops are the following:

Corn sees the highest yield nationwide, produced mainly in the Corn Belt (a region in the Midwest).

U.S. states with the most amount of farmland

Here’s the data and some statistics on the U.S. states with the greatest amount of acres in farmland.

1. Texas

Texas is home to 14.07% of total U.S. farmland, equal to 126 million acres. 

Cotton is the most profitable crop in the state, generating $1.8 billion in revenue. Following cotton, corn and hay each bring in $1.2 billion. Sorghum makes $310 million, and wheat produces a profit of $306 million. 

Texas produces a variety of fruits and vegetables in the Rio Grande Valley region and is known for its pecan and olive orchards.

2. Montana

Montana accounts for 6.47% of farmland in the United States, equal to 57.9 million acres. 

Of their most popular crops, wheat produces $1 billion in revenue, hay yields $907.8 million, barley brings in $192.1 million, pea sales generate $92.8 million, and lentil crops result in total earnings of $44.1 million.

3. Kansas

Kansas has the third most farmland in the United States, with over 45 million acres, which is 5.1% of total land in farms.

Kansas produces $3 billion in revenue from corn, $1.6 billion in soybeans, $1.4 billion in wheat, $773.8 million in hay, and $668.3 million in sorghum. 

4. Nebraska

Nebraska has 5% of the United States’ overall farmland, equal to 44.8 million acres. 

Like many other top-producing states, Nebraska’s top crop is corn. Known as the Cornhusker States, this crop has a total value of $6.8 billion. This state produces the most amount of popcorn, and half of the corn grown is used to make ethanol.

5. South Dakota

The total amount of farmland in South Dakota equals 43.2 million acres, which accounts for 4.83% of the United States. 

In 2021, corn brought in $2.1 billion in revenue, soybeans $1.2 billion, hay $748.8 million, wheat $298.4, and sunflowers $147.8 million.

6. New Mexico

There are 40 million acres of farmland in New Mexico, which is 4.47% of the total in the United States. 

According to census data, Native Americans operate 24% of farms and ranches in New Mexico. This state grows the most peppers in the United States, cultivating 8,313 acres. Maize occupies 1,923 acres on 596 farms. 

7. North Dakota

North Dakota sees 4.39% of farmland present in the United States, equal to 39.3 million acres. 

This state is home to farms larger in size, the average being 1,307 acres of land. Agriculture is the dominant industry in this state, with 90% of land dedicated to farms. There are 30,000 farms in North Dakota, and 24% of the population works in agriculture, making it a huge contribution to the state’s economy.

8. Oklahoma

Oklahoma has 34.4 million acres of farmland, which is 3.84% of the whole of the United States. 

Wheat and hay are this state’s top crops. Oklahoma is also entering the cotton market, planting the third largest acreage, right behind Texas and Georgia.

9. Colorado

Colorado represents 3.55% of farmland in the United States, equal to 31.8 million acres. 

Colorado exports about $2 billion in agriculture-related products to Korea, China, Mexico, Canada, and Japan every year. 

The agriculture industry is responsible for the creation of 170,000 jobs in this state. Many jobs support hay production, the state’s most valuable crop, valued at $934.7 million.

10. Iowa

Iowa produces 3.41% of the United State’s farmland, equal to 30.5 million acres. 

Corn is the most profitable crop produced in Iowa, generating $9.8 billion for the state.

Families own 97% of the 87,000 farms. Iowa produces the most corn, pigs, and eggs compared to other states. Interestingly, it’s also home to 104 wineries and 267 vineyards.

Following the states listed above are Wyoming, Missouri, Illinois, Arizona, and Minnesota.

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