By Sean Ellis
Dairy in 2024 remained as Idaho’s No. 1 agricultural commodity in terms of total farm-gate receipts and cattle and calves was again No. 2.
But the cattle sector may give dairy a run for its money this year in that category.
USDA data released Sept. 3 shows that farm-level Idaho milk sales brought in $3.87 billion in farm-gate receipts in 2024, up 12 percent from $3.46 billion in 2023 but below the record of $4.28 billion set in 2022.
That made milk, again, Idaho’s top agricultural commodity, ahead of the cattle and calves sector, which brought in a record $3.32 billion in 2024, which was a 27 percent increase compared with 2023.
Milk has been the state’s top ag commodity in total farm-gate revenue for many years, but the beef cattle sector may close in on that title when this year’s tallies are totaled up and released in 2026.
USDA’s Sept. 3 “Farm Income and Financial Forecasts for 2025” report contained the first state-level estimates for farm-gate receipts in 2024. The 2025 totals will be released about the same time next year.
Farm-gate receipts are what the farmer or rancher receives for their commodity.
The USDA report forecasts total U.S. farm-gate milk receipts will decline by 4 percent in 2025 compared with 2024 and receipts for cattle and calves will increase by 13 percent.
This math, taken literally, could mean cattle and calves might catch milk for the top spot among Idaho ag commodities in 2025.
That’s a big “might.”
USDA’s forecast of a 4 percent decrease in milk receipts is for the nation. Idaho dairies collectively produced 7 percent more milk year-over-year through the first half of 2025, according to the Idaho Dairymen’s Association.
This large increase in milk volume alone could keep milk in the No. 1 spot. Of course, how farm-level beef and milk prices ultimately pan out will play a major factor as well.
Potatoes remained Idaho’s top crop, and No. 3 ag commodity, with $1.24 billion in cash receipts in 2024, according to USDA. This represents a 7 percent drop compared with 2023.
Wheat retained its spot as the No. 4 ag commodity in Idaho with $597 in farm-gate receipts in 2024, down slightly from $608 million in 2023.
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