DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today (Wednesday) said the recently released 2012 Census of Agriculture preliminary data show Iowa has seen dramatic increases in the total value of agriculture production, value of crops sold and value of livestock sold.  The growth has allowed Iowa to move in to 2^nd place nationally in each category since the last Census of Agriculture in 2007.

“The impact of Iowa’s agriculture industry is tremendous, and it continues to grow,” Northey said.  “The growth over the last five years is a testament to the hard work, creativity and persistence of our farmers.  Even with the recent softening of commodity prices, Iowa agriculture is well positioned to continue to be a key driver of the state’s economy.”

Iowa’s total value of agriculture production increased more than 50 percent from $20.4 billion in 2007 to $30.8 billion in 2012.  The value of crops sold in Iowa increased by 2/3 from $10.3 billion to $17.4 billion.  The value of Iowa livestock production increased by 1/3 from $10.1 billion to $13.5 billion.

Iowa moved from 3^rd nationally in each category in to 2^nd place national, passing Texas in the total value of production, passing Illinois in the value of crops sold and passing California in the value of livestock sold. Additional preliminary Census of Agriculture date can be found at www.AgCensus.usda.gov.  The final census results will be released in May and will include U.S., state and county data on livestock inventory, crop acreage and production, energy, land use practices, and production expenses.