Cattle close behind as state farm income trends shift
Idaho dairy once again delivered the largest share of farm revenue in 2024, holding the top spot among the state’s agricultural commodities. USDA data shows milk sales brought in $3.87 billion, up 12 percent from 2023 but shy of the 2022 record of $4.28 billion.
The cattle and calves sector followed closely with a record $3.32 billion in farm-gate receipts, a 27 percent jump from the previous year. With USDA forecasting national milk receipts to fall 4 percent and cattle to rise 13 percent in 2025, the beef sector may challenge dairy for Idaho’s top ranking next year.
Potatoes remained the state’s leading crop and third overall commodity at $1.24 billion, a 7 percent decline from 2023. Wheat stayed fourth at $597 million, slightly lower than last year. Sugar beets advanced into fifth place with $508 million, while hay dropped to sixth at $381 million, down 38 percent due to more on-farm use not captured in sales.
Barley earned $347 million for seventh place, and onions surged 25 percent to $205 million. Chicken eggs continued their upward trend with $141 million, while corn brought $134 million and dry beans $91 million. Hogs posted a dramatic 235 percent gain to $67 million, offsetting declines in hops, which fell to $69 million.
Overall, Idaho’s 22,000 farmers and ranchers earned $11.79 billion in farm-gate receipts in 2024, a 6 percent rise in production expenses to $7.2 billion narrowed profits. Net farm income was estimated at $2.6 billion, down 13 percent from 2023 and one-third below 2022 levels, reflecting higher costs and market shifts across the state’s agriculture sector.
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