Census info shows drop in farms, boost in value of farm products

The most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows a 0.2% decline in the number of farms in Arkansas between 1997 and 2007.

However, the market value of products sold by the 49,346 Arkansas farms in 2007 was $7.5 billion, up 33.7% over the value in 1997. The value of livestock, poultry and other animal production in 2007 was $4.6 billion, up 38.3% over 1997 figures.

Of the 49,346 farms in operation in 2007, only 21,960 represented the primary occupation of the farm owner.

The 2007 Census report clearly identifies the tremendous decline in dairy production. There were 16,718 dairy cows in Arkansas in 2007, down 66% from the 49,208 in 1997.

Other agri data in the Census report:
• Farms with net gains in income
2007: 23,251 (avg: $89,925)
1997: 22,347 (avg: $74,247)

• Farms with net losses
2007: 26,095 (avg: $12,150)
1997: 25,127 (avg: $10,943)

• Estimated market value of farm (land & buildings; average per farm)
2007: $658,732
1997: $354,095

• Estimated market value of farm (machinery & equipment; average per farm)
2007: $90,823
1997: $55,572

• Average age of principal farm owner
2007: 56.5
1997: 53.4

• Average size of farm
2007: 281
1997: 300

• Corporate-owned farms
2007: 1,854
1997: 2,142