DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today said that National Ag Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions agriculture makes to the state. National Ag Day is March 8, 2012 and is designed to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture
“On a day designed to recognize the abundance provided by agriculture, Iowa has a lot to celebrate,” Northey said. “Iowa is the national leader in the production of corn, soybeans, pork, eggs and ethanol while also being among leaders in the number of farmers markets. A wide variety of agribusinesses, biotechnology, renewable energy and other ag related businesses also have their home here. All of this is due to the quality of our land and the productivity of our farmers.”
Total cash sales from our farms have nearly than doubled from $12.2 billion in 2002 to $23.2 billion in 2010. Preliminary estimates show agriculture sales from Iowa farms could be close to $30 billion in 2011.
In 2011 Iowa farmers again lead the nation in production of:
- Corn (2.36 billion bushels, 172 bushels per acre, 19% of U.S. total)
- Soybeans (466 million bushels, 50.5 bushels per acres, 15% of U.S. total)
- Hogs (19.8 million on hand, 30% of U.S. total)
- Eggs (52.1 million layers, 14.5 billion eggs)
Iowa is second nationally in red meat production, cash receipts, net farm income and overall agriculture export value of $7 billion. Iowa farmers are also in the top ten nationally in turkey, dairy, beef, goat and lamb production
“Iowa was founded because of agriculture and it continues to be our state’s leading industry,” Northey said. “National Ag Day is an opportunity to highlight all that agriculture means to Iowa, but also all that Iowa agriculture means to the world.”
The agriculture products raised in Iowa are in strong demand around the world. Iowa is second nationally in overall agriculture export value with $7 billion in exports annually.
In addition to exporting the agricultural goods raised in the state, the agriculture technologies developed and built in Iowa are also in demand around the world. This includes livestock production systems, crop production equipment, seed technology and others.
The top five importers of Iowa agricultural, value added and manufactured goods are Canada, Mexico, Japan, China and Germany.
“Iowa is a national and international leader in agriculture and well positioned to continue to grow,” Northey added.
Audio of Secretary Northey discussing National Ag Day
