Oklahoma remains fourth in the nation in number of farms, according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agriculture census occurs every five years and takes into account details specific to the operations of farmers, ranchers and other ag producers across the United States.
Farmer demographics is included in the data compiled. The 2012 numbers reflect the average age of the Oklahoma producer is equal to that of the national average; 58.3 years old. However, the age of Oklahoma producers has slowed since 2007; perhaps indicating an increase in young producers returning to the farm.
Like all producers, younger farmers were not immune to the obvious increase in production expenses. From 2007 to 2012 there was an increase in the market value of ag products sold. There was also an increase in production expenses. However the increase in production expenditures outpaced the increase in total ag products sold by 5%.
In Oklahoma, livestock, poultry and their product values outpaced the crop values by a rate of nearly 3:1. This is in contrast to the US trend where crop values dominated the market values for the first time since 1974. In Oklahoma of the $6.7 billion total production expenses, $3.7 billion was livestock or poultry purchases and feed expenses.
Producers began receiving census forms in December 2012. Following a two year mission, the Census of Agriculture culminates in a full report detailing millions of pieces of information outlining the structure of Oklahoma’s agriculture. Like the products reported on in the ag census, the data would not be possible without the support and participation of farmers and ranchers.
“I would like to thank Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers for responding to the Ag Census,” said Oklahoma State Statistician Wilbert Hundl. “It’s a privilege to work with ODAFF as they continue to cooperate with USDA NASS to provide detailed facts about Oklahoma’s agriculture.”
