United States

Department of

Agriculture

National

Agricultural

Statistics

Service

ISSN: 1930-7128

Farms, Land in Farms,

and Livestock Operations

2009 Summary

February 2010

Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010) 3

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Contents

National Summaries

Number of Farms and Land in Farms ............................................................................. 4

Livestock Operations ...................................................................................................... 5

Number of Farms, Land in Farms, and Average Farm Size ....................................................... 6

Livestock Operations by Species, U.S.

Cattle and Calves ......................................................................................................... 20

Beef Cows ................................................................................................................... 20

Milk Cows .................................................................................................................... 21

Milk Production ............................................................................................................ 21

Hogs and Pigs .............................................................................................................. 22

Sheep and Goats ......................................................................................................... 23

Reliability Statement ................................................................................................................ 24

Terms and Definitions .............................................................................................................. 25

Farm Definition History ............................................................................................................. 26

Special Note Regarding the 2007 Estimates ............................................................................ 27

Contacts .................................................................................................................................. 29
4 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Special Note 

NASS is in the process of modifying report layouts in order to improve readability. This is the first issue produced using 

the new layout. This revised report issue is published using both layouts but future issues will only be produced using this 

layout. The previous layout is available on the NASS website: www.nass.usda.gov. 

2009 Number of Farms and Land in Farms Highlights

The number of farms in the United States in 2009 is estimated at 2.2 million, virtually unchanged from 2008. Total 

land in farms, at 919.8 million acres, decreased 110 thousand acres from 2008. The average farm size is 418 acres, 

unchanged from the previous year. 

Farm numbers and land in farms are broken down into five economic sales classes. Farms and ranches are classified into 

these “sales classes” by summing their sales of agricultural products and government program payments. Sales class 

breaks occur at $10,000, $100,000, $250,000, and $500,000.

Farm numbers declined slightly in the $10,000-$99,999 and $500,000 and over sales classes. Lower commodity prices 

and smaller value of sales contributed to changes in the number of farms within these sales classes. Farm numbers 

increased 0.5 percent, to 1.23 million farms, in the $1,000 - $9,999 sales class. Meanwhile, the number of farms in the 

$500,000 and over sales class decreased by 1.0 percent to 124,720 farms. 

Land in farms decreased in the smallest and largest sales classes. In the $1,000-$9,999 sales class, land in farms dropped 

1.1 percent, to 105.5 million acres. Land operated by farms in the $500,000 & over in sales class decreased 1.0 percent, to 

290.0 million acres. Land operated by farms with $250,000-$499,999 in sales increased by 4.1 percent. 

The average farm size was unchanged in 2009. However, average farm sizes declined in some of the sales classes 

partially due to smaller farms moving up to higher sales classes.

This report also contains estimates of farm numbers and land in farms for Puerto Rico. The number of farms with sales of 

$1,000 or more in Puerto Rico was 10,400 in 2009, down 800 farms from 2008. Land in farms, at 450,000 acres, is down 

20,000 acres from the previous year. The average farm size in Puerto Rico in 2009 was estimated at 43 acres.

Update Alert – February 19, 2010

The Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary released on February 12, 2010 by USDA’s 

National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is being reissued due to corrections in Land in Farms tables. On page 

13, the 2008 estimate for Northeast region’s other states total for the land in farms in the “$500,000 & over” sales 

class has been corrected to be 965,000 acres. The 2008 estimate for Northeast region total for the land in farms in the 

“$500,000 & over” sales class has been corrected to 4,355,000 acres. The 2008 estimate for the U.S. total for the land 

in farms in the “$500,000 & over” sales class has been corrected to 293,055,000 acres. The total land in farms for the 

Northeast region and the U.S. was published correctly.
Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010) 5

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

2009 Livestock Operations Highlights

The number of operations with cattle totaled 950,000 for 2009, down 1 percent from 2008. Beef cow operations in 

2009, at 753,000, were also down 1 percent from last year. The number of milk cow operations for 2009 totaled 65,000, 

down 3 percent from 2008.

The three operation classes: cattle, beef cows, and milk cows, are classified into size groups independently. Therefore, it 

is possible to have more beef cow operations in a particular size group than cattle operations. As an example, an operator 

with 75 cattle and 40 beef cows would be classified in the 50-99 size group for cattle and 1-49 size group for beef cows.

The number of operations with hogs totaled 71,450 for 2009, down 2 percent from 2008. Places with 2,000 or more 

head accounted for 86 percent of the inventory.

The number of operations with sheep totaled 82,000 for 2009, down 1 percent from 2008. Of all sheep operations that 

include breeding sheep, 93.7 percent were comprised of 1-99 head, 5.2 percent had 100-499 head, and the remaining 1.1 

percent were operations with 500 head or more. Operations with 1-99 head account for 36.2 percent of the inventory, 100-

499 head account for 20.8 percent of the inventory, and 500+ head account for 43.0 percent of the inventory.

The number of operations with goats totaled 152,000 for 2009, up 1 percent from a year earlier. Angora goat 

operations totaled 5,400, down 17 percent from 2008. Milk goat operations totaled 30,000, up 3 percent from 2008. Meat 

goat operations totaled 130,000, up 1 percent from a year earlier. Total goat operations will be equal to or less than the 

sum of angora, milk and meat because places which own more than one goat type count as only one operation.

Special Note

State level numbers are published in conjunction with the Census of Agriculture every five years. The number of 

operations at the U.S. level are published on an annual basis. The reference date for operation estimates is December 31 

beginning with the 2007 estimates. This change from the previous definition of an operation as any place having one or 

more head of a specie on hand at any time during the year results in a break in the data series.
6 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

<$10,000 $10,000-$99,999 $100,000-$249,999 $250,000-$499,999 $500,000+

Thousands of Farms

Economic Sales Class

Number of Farms by Economic Sales Class, United States

2008 2009
Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010) 7

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

<$10,000 $10,000-$99,999 $100,000-$249,999 $250,000-$499,999 $500,000+

Acres

Economic Sales Class

Average Farm Size by Economic Sales Class, United States

2008 2009
8 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

<$10,000 $10,000-$99,999 $100,000-$249,999 $250,000-$499,999 $500,000+

Percent of Total

Economic Sales Class

Farms and Land in Farms by Economic Sales Class, United States

Number of farms

Land in farms
Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010) 9

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Point farms: United States, 2003 - 2009

Year

Percent of total 1

Farms Land

2003 ................................................

2004 ................................................

2005 ................................................

2006 ................................................

2007 ................................................

2008 2..............................................

2009 ................................................

18.0

17.0

18.0

19.0

22.0

17.0

18.0

3.0

2.5

2.5

2.7

3.0

2.8

2.9

1 Percent of farms and land in farms for places having less than $1,000 of reported sales, but with sufficient crops and/or livestock to normally have 

sales of at least $1,000.

2 Revised.

410

415

420

425

430

435

440

445

1.95

2.00

2.05

2.10

2.15

2.20

2.25

2.30

1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009

Millions of Farms

Year

Number of Farms and Average Farm Size, United States

Number of farms

Average farm size
10 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Number of Farms, Land in Larms, and Average Farm Size: United States, 1999-2009

Year Number

of farms

Land

in farms

Average

farm size

(number) (1,000 acres) (acres)

1999 ...........................

2000 ...........................

2001 ...........................

2002 ...........................

2003 ...........................

2004 ...........................

2005 ...........................

2006 ...........................

2007 ...........................

2008 1.........................

2009 ...........................

2,187,280

2,166,780

2,148,630

2,135,360

2,126,860

2,112,970

2,098,690

2,088,790

2,204,950

2,200,100

2,200,010

948,460

945,080

942,070

940,300

936,750

932,260

927,940

925,790

921,460

919,910

919,800

434

436

438

440

440

441

442

443

418

418

418

1 Revised.

Percent of Farms and Land in Farms, and Average Farm Size: By Economic Sales Class, United 

States, 2008-2009

Economic sales class

Percent of total Average farm size

Farms Land in (acres) farms

2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009

 $1,000 - $2,499 .........................

 $2,500 - $4,999 .........................

 $5,000 - $9,999 .........................

 $10,000 - $24,999 ........................

 $25,000 - $49,999 ........................

 $50,000 - $99,999 ........................

$100,000 - $249,999 .......................

$250,000 - $499,999 .......................

$500,000 - $999,999 .......................

$1,000,000 + ...................................

Total ...............................................

27.8

14.4

13.3

12.1

8.0

7.4

6.8

4.5

3.4

2.3

100.0

28.0

14.4

13.4

11.8

8.0

7.4

6.8

4.5

3.4

2.3

100.0

4.0

3.3

4.3

6.8

7.4

10.3

16.4

15.6

15.4

16.5

100.0

3.7

3.2

4.6

6.5

7.8

10.4

16.1

16.2

15.4

16.1

100.0

60

96

135

235

387

582

1,010

1,452

1,897

3,004

418

55

93

143

230

408

588

991

1,506

1,895

2,936

418

1 Revised.
Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010) 11

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Number of Farms, Land in Farms, and Average Farm Size by State, United States, and Puerto Rico 

2008-2009

State

Number of farms Land in farms Average farm size

2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009

(number) (number) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (acres) (acres)

Alabama ..........................

Alaska .............................

Arizona ............................

Arkansas .........................

California .........................

Colorado ..........................

Connecticut .....................

Delaware .........................

Florida .............................

Georgia ...........................

Hawaii .............................

Idaho ...............................

Illinois ..............................

Indiana ............................

Iowa .................................

Kansas ............................

Kentucky ..........................

Louisiana .........................

Maine ..............................

Maryland ..........................

Massachusetts .................

Michigan ..........................

Minnesota ........................

Mississippi .......................

Missouri ...........................

Montana ..........................

Nebraska .........................

Nevada ............................

New Hampshire ...............

New Jersey ......................

New Mexico .....................

New York .........................

North Carolina .................

North Dakota ...................

Ohio .................................

Oklahoma ........................

Oregon ............................

Pennsylvania ...................

Rhode Island ...................

South Carolina .................

South Dakota ...................

Tennessee .......................

Texas ..............................

Utah .................................

Vermont ...........................

Virginia ............................

Washington .....................

West Virginia ...................

Wisconsin ........................

Wyoming .........................

United States ...................

Puerto Rico ......................

48,500

680

15,600

49,300

81,500

36,500

4,900

2,500

47,500

47,800

7,500

25,200

75,900

61,000

92,600

65,500

85,300

30,000

8,100

12,850

7,700

55,000

81,000

42,000

108,000

29,500

47,400

3,100

4,150

10,300

20,600

36,600

52,500

32,000

75,000

86,600

38,600

63,200

1,220

26,900

31,300

79,000

247,500

16,500

7,000

47,000

39,500

23,200

78,000

11,000

2,200,100

11,200

48,500

680

15,500

49,100

81,500

36,200

4,900

2,480

47,500

47,600

7,500

25,500

75,800

61,500

92,600

65,500

85,500

30,000

8,100

12,800

7,700

54,800

81,000

42,300

108,000

29,800

47,200

3,080

4,150

10,300

20,500

36,600

52,400

32,000

74,900

86,500

38,600

63,200

1,220

27,000

31,500

78,700

247,500

16,600

7,000

47,000

39,500

23,200

78,000

11,000

2,200,010

10,400

8,950

890

26,100

13,700

25,400

31,300

400

500

9,250

10,400

1,110

11,400

26,700

14,800

30,800

46,200

14,000

8,050

1,350

2,050

520

10,000

26,900

11,000

29,100

60,800

45,600

5,900

470

730

43,000

7,100

8,600

39,600

13,900

35,100

16,400

7,750

70

4,900

43,700

10,900

130,400

11,100

1,220

8,000

14,800

3,700

15,200

30,100

919,910

470

9,000

880

26,100

13,600

25,400

31,300

400

490

9,250

10,300

1,120

11,400

26,700

14,800

30,800

46,200

14,000

8,050

1,350

2,050

520

10,000

26,900

11,050

29,100

60,800

45,600

5,900

470

730

43,000

7,100

8,600

39,600

13,800

35,100

16,400

7,750

70

4,900

43,700

10,900

130,400

11,100

1,220

8,000

14,800

3,700

15,200

30,200

919,800

450

185

1,309

1,673

278

312

858

82

200

195

218

148

452

352

243

333

705

164

268

167

160

68

182

332

262

269

2,061

962

1,903

113

71

2,087

194

164

1,238

185

405

425

123

57

182

1,396

138

527

673

174

170

375

159

195

2,736

418

42

186

1,294

1,684

277

312

865

82

198

195

216

149

447

352

241

333

705

164

268

167

160

68

182

332

261

269

2,040

966

1,916

113

71

2,098

194

164

1,238

184

406

425

123

57

181

1,387

139

527

669

174

170

375

159

195

2,745

418

43

1 Revised.
12 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Number of Farms: Economic Sales Class by State, Region, United States, and Puerto Rico 2008-2009

State and region

Economic sales class

$1,000-$9,999 $10,000-$99,999 $100,000-$249,999

2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009

(number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number)

Northeast

 Connecticut ...............................

 Maine ........................................

 Massachusetts ..........................

 New Hampshire ........................

 New Jersey ...............................

 New York ..................................

 Pennsylvania .............................

 Rhode Island .............................

 Vermont ....................................

 Other States 2...........................

 Total ..........................................

North Central

 Illinois ........................................

 Indiana ......................................

 Iowa ..........................................

 Kansas ......................................

 Michigan ...................................

 Minnesota .................................

 Missouri ....................................

 Nebraska ..................................

 North Dakota .............................

 Ohio ..........................................

 South Dakota ............................

 Wisconsin .................................

 Total ..........................................

3,050

5,300

4,800

2,900

6,700

18,700

37,000

740

4,000

83,190

33,500

31,700

30,200

28,300

32,300

36,500

57,700

12,300

10,600

40,300

9,400

39,000

361,800

3,050

5,300

4,800

2,900

6,700

18,900

37,000

750

4,000

83,400

32,400

32,800

30,300

28,500

32,100

36,400

58,100

11,700

10,700

40,200

9,200

38,800

361,200

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

10,800

15,500

(NA)

(NA)

11,060

37,360

17,400

16,000

28,500

22,500

14,500

21,900

38,000

14,200

9,400

22,700

9,600

20,500

235,200

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

10,900

15,500

(NA)

(NA)

10,950

37,350

17,600

15,800

28,400

22,200

14,400

21,900

37,800

13,400

9,300

22,700

9,800

20,500

233,800

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

3,100

5,600

(NA)

(NA)

2,220

10,920

8,100

5,150

14,100

6,600

3,600

9,400

5,700

7,600

4,300

5,500

5,200

9,300

84,550

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

3,200

5,600

(NA)

(NA)

2,270

11,070

8,500

5,200

14,200

6,700

3,500

9,400

5,200

8,600

4,400

5,300

5,000

9,400

85,400

See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued
Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010) 13

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Number of Farms: Economic Sales Class by State, Region, United States, and Puerto Rico 2008-2009 

- Continued

State and region

Economic sales class

$1,000-$9,999 $10,000-$99,999 $100,000-$249,999

2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009

(number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number)

South

 Alabama ...................................

 Arkansas ..................................

 Delaware ..................................

 Florida ......................................

 Georgia .....................................

 Kentucky ...................................

 Louisiana ..................................

 Maryland ...................................

 Mississippi ................................

 North Carolina ..........................

 Oklahoma .................................

 South Carolina ..........................

 Tennessee ................................

 Texas ........................................

 Virginia .....................................

 West Virginia ............................

 Other States 3...........................

 Total .........................................

West

 Alaska .......................................

 Arizona .....................................

 California ..................................

 Colorado ...................................

 Hawaii .......................................

 Idaho ........................................

 Montana ...................................

 Nevada .....................................

 New Mexico ..............................

 Oregon .....................................

 Utah ..........................................

 Washington ...............................

 Wyoming ..................................

 Other States 4...........................

 Total .........................................

United States ................................

Puerto Rico ...................................

31,000

27,900

1,000

29,500

30,200

54,000

18,700

7,100

27,400

32,700

51,000

19,500

55,900

163,800

30,000

18,400

598,100

360

12,000

35,500

20,600

4,600

13,300

13,100

1,650

13,800

24,400

10,100

24,400

5,200

179,010

1,222,100

7,200

31,200

27,600

1,000

29,500

30,100

54,000

18,700

7,100

27,500

32,600

51,000

19,600

56,100

171,000

29,800

18,400

605,200

350

12,000

35,600

19,500

4,600

13,400

13,500

1,650

13,700

24,400

10,200

24,300

5,200

178,400

1,228,200

6,800

12,500

13,200

(NA)

12,700

10,000

25,200

7,900

(NA)

9,900

11,300

28,000

5,400

19,100

65,100

13,300

(NA)

8,030

241,630

(NA)

(NA)

26,600

10,400

(NA)

7,000

9,400

(NA)

5,000

8,900

4,700

8,900

(NA)

9,410

90,310

604,500

3,000

12,400

13,000

(NA)

12,700

10,000

25,400

7,900

(NA)

10,100

11,300

28,000

5,400

18,400

59,000

13,600

(NA)

7,930

235,130

(NA)

(NA)

26,800

11,300

(NA)

7,200

9,300

(NA)

5,000

9,300

4,700

9,000

(NA)

9,100

91,700

597,980

2,800

1,300

1,600

(NA)

2,100

2,500

2,900

1,100

(NA)

1,050

2,000

3,800

600

1,650

7,500

1,450

(NA)

1,210

30,760

(NA)

(NA)

6,500

2,600

(NA)

1,900

3,700

(NA)

800

2,300

840

2,000

(NA)

2,130

22,770

149,000

500

1,300

1,700

(NA)

2,100

2,500

3,000

1,100

(NA)

950

2,050

3,700

600

1,600

7,700

1,300

(NA)

1,220

30,820

(NA)

(NA)

6,400

2,700

(NA)

1,700

3,500

(NA)

840

2,100

840

2,000

(NA)

2,120

22,200

149,490

400

See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued
14 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Number of Farms: Economic Sales Class by State, Region, United States, and Puerto Rico 2008-2009 

- Continued

State and region

Economic sales class

$250,000-$499,999 $500,000 & over Total

2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009

(number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number)

Northeast

 Connecticut ...............................

 Maine ........................................

 Massachusetts ..........................

 New Hampshire ........................

 New Jersey ...............................

 New York ..................................

 Pennsylvania .............................

 Rhode Island .............................

 Vermont ....................................

 Other States 2...........................

 Total ..........................................

North Central

 Illinois ........................................

 Indiana ......................................

 Iowa ..........................................

 Kansas ......................................

 Michigan ...................................

 Minnesota .................................

 Missouri ....................................

 Nebraska ..................................

 North Dakota .............................

 Ohio ..........................................

 South Dakota ............................

 Wisconsin .................................

 Total ..........................................

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

1,700

2,800

(NA)

(NA)

1,220

5,720

7,900

3,600

9,800

3,900

2,100

6,400

2,900

6,000

3,700

3,300

3,900

5,200

58,700

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

1,600

2,800

(NA)

(NA)

1,320

5,720

8,100

3,200

9,800

3,900

2,200

6,500

3,100

6,000

3,700

3,400

4,200

5,500

59,600

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

2,300

2,300

(NA)

(NA)

1,380

5,980

9,000

4,550

10,000

4,200

2,500

6,800

3,700

7,300

4,000

3,200

3,200

4,000

62,450

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

2,000

2,300

(NA)

(NA)

1,330

5,630

9,200

4,500

9,900

4,200

2,600

6,800

3,800

7,500

3,900

3,300

3,300

3,800

62,800

4,900

8,100

7,700

4,150

10,300

36,600

63,200

1,220

7,000

143,170

75,900

61,000

92,600

65,500

55,000

81,000

108,000

47,400

32,000

75,000

31,300

78,000

802,700

4,900

8,100

7,700

4,150

10,300

36,600

63,200

1,220

7,000

143,170

75,800

61,500

92,600

65,500

54,800

81,000

108,000

47,200

32,000

74,900

31,500

78,000

802,800

See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued
Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010) 15

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Number of Farms: Economic Sales Class by State, Region, United States, and Puerto Rico 2008-2009 

- Continued

State and region

Economic sales class

$250,000-$499,999 $500,000 & over Total

2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009

(number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number)

South

 Alabama ...................................

 Arkansas ..................................

 Delaware ..................................

 Florida ......................................

 Georgia .....................................

 Kentucky ...................................

 Louisiana ..................................

 Maryland ...................................

 Mississippi ................................

 North Carolina ..........................

 Oklahoma .................................

 South Carolina ..........................

 Tennessee ................................

 Texas ........................................

 Virginia .....................................

 West Virginia ............................

 Other States 3...........................

 Total .........................................

West

 Alaska .......................................

 Arizona .....................................

 California ..................................

 Colorado ...................................

 Hawaii .......................................

 Idaho ........................................

 Montana ...................................

 Nevada .....................................

 New Mexico ..............................

 Oregon .....................................

 Utah ..........................................

 Washington ...............................

 Wyoming ..................................

 Other States 4...........................

 Total .........................................

United States ................................

Puerto Rico ...................................

1,400

1,700

(NA)

1,100

1,600

1,400

800

(NA)

900

2,500

1,800

300

950

4,500

950

(NA)

850

20,750

(NA)

(NA)

4,000

1,200

(NA)

1,200

2,100

(NA)

400

1,200

410

1,700

(NA)

1,120

13,330

98,500

250

1,400

1,900

(NA)

1,100

1,400

1,450

800

(NA)

1,000

2,450

1,800

300

1,100

4,500

900

(NA)

860

20,960

(NA)

(NA)

4,000

1,100

(NA)

1,200

2,300

(NA)

400

1,000

400

1,700

(NA)

1,240

13,340

99,620

200

2,300

4,900

(NA)

2,100

3,500

1,800

1,500

(NA)

2,750

4,000

2,000

1,100

1,400

6,600

1,300

(NA)

1,960

37,210

(NA)

(NA)

8,900

1,700

(NA)

1,800

1,200

(NA)

600

1,800

450

2,500

(NA)

1,410

20,360

126,000

250

2,200

4,900

(NA)

2,100

3,600

1,650

1,500

(NA)

2,750

4,000

2,000

1,100

1,500

5,300

1,400

(NA)

1,970

35,970

(NA)

(NA)

8,700

1,600

(NA)

2,000

1,200

(NA)

560

1,800

460

2,500

(NA)

1,500

20,320

124,720

200

48,500

49,300

2,500

47,500

47,800

85,300

30,000

12,850

42,000

52,500

86,600

26,900

79,000

247,500

47,000

23,200

928,450

680

15,600

81,500

36,500

7,500

25,200

29,500

3,100

20,600

38,600

16,500

39,500

11,000

325,780

2,200,100

11,200

48,500

49,100

2,480

47,500

47,600

85,500

30,000

12,800

42,300

52,400

86,500

27,000

78,700

247,500

47,000

23,200

928,080

680

15,500

81,500

36,200

7,500

25,500

29,800

3,080

20,500

38,600

16,600

39,500

11,000

325,960

2,200,010

10,400

(NA) Not available.

1 Revised.

2 Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

3 Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia.

4 Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Wyoming.
16 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Land in Farms: Economic Sales Class by State, Region, United States, and Puerto Rico 2008-2009

State and region

Economic sales class

$1,000-$9,999 $10,000-$99,999 $100,000-$249,999

2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres)

Northeast ......................................

 Connecticut ...............................

 Maine ........................................

 Massachusetts ..........................

 New Hampshire ........................

 New Jersey ...............................

 New York ..................................

 Pennsylvania .............................

 Rhode Island .............................

 Vermont ....................................

 Other States 2...........................

 Total ..........................................

North Central ................................

 Illinois ........................................

 Indiana ......................................

 Iowa ..........................................

 Kansas ......................................

 Michigan ...................................

 Minnesota .................................

 Missouri ....................................

 Nebraska ..................................

 North Dakota .............................

 Ohio ..........................................

 South Dakota ............................

 Wisconsin .................................

 Total ..........................................

130

480

210

230

180

1,400

2,400

30

340

5,400

1,500

1,300

1,700

3,200

1,800

3,200

5,000

1,400

2,000

2,000

1,600

2,700

27,400

130

480

210

230

180

1,500

2,400

30

340

5,500

1,300

1,300

1,600

3,300

1,700

3,100

4,900

1,300

1,800

1,950

1,500

2,400

26,150

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

1,700

2,050

(NA)

(NA)

1,260

5,010

2,300

2,100

4,700

9,900

2,000

4,800

10,400

6,200

6,200

3,200

7,300

3,300

62,400

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

1,800

2,050

(NA)

(NA)

1,250

5,100

2,200

2,200

4,800

9,600

1,900

4,800

10,400

6,200

6,200

3,200

7,400

3,200

62,100

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

960

1,150

(NA)

(NA)

490

2,600

3,300

1,900

5,400

8,300

1,400

4,200

3,900

8,300

6,900

2,200

9,400

2,700

57,900

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

960

1,150

(NA)

(NA)

500

2,610

3,400

1,900

5,400

8,300

1,300

4,200

3,400

8,200

6,900

2,200

9,300

2,700

57,200

See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued
Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010) 17

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Land in Farms: Economic Sales Class by State, Region, United States, and Puerto Rico 2008-2009 -

Continued

State and region

Economic sales class

$1,000-$9,999 $10,000-$99,999 $100,000-$249,999

2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres)

South ............................................

 Alabama ...................................

 Arkansas ..................................

 Delaware ..................................

 Florida ......................................

 Georgia .....................................

 Kentucky ...................................

 Louisiana ..................................

 Maryland ...................................

 Mississippi ................................

 North Carolina ..........................

 Oklahoma .................................

 South Carolina ..........................

 Tennessee ................................

 Texas ........................................

 Virginia .....................................

 West Virginia ............................

 Other States 3...........................

 Total .........................................

West .............................................

 Alaska .......................................

 Arizona .....................................

 California ..................................

 Colorado ...................................

 Hawaii .......................................

 Idaho ........................................

 Montana ...................................

 Nevada .....................................

 New Mexico ..............................

 Oregon .....................................

 Utah ..........................................

 Washington ...............................

 Wyoming ..................................

 Other States 4...........................

 Total .........................................

United States ................................

Puerto Rico ...................................

3,000

2,300

30

1,400

3,200

4,400

1,400

400

3,500

2,000

6,000

1,900

3,750

18,800

2,300

1,920

56,300

270

750

1,800

2,700

80

950

2,500

200

3,000

1,700

850

1,300

1,500

17,600

106,700

120

3,100

2,100

30

1,400

3,100

4,400

1,400

400

3,400

2,000

6,000

1,800

3,800

19,500

2,200

1,900

56,530

270

750

1,800

2,600

80

1,000

2,500

200

3,000

1,600

900

1,300

1,300

17,300

105,480

120

3,100

3,150

(NA)

1,950

2,350

5,010

1,950

(NA)

2,600

1,650

12,600

1,200

3,700

43,500

2,900

(NA)

1,840

87,500

(NA)

(NA)

5,000

8,400

(NA)

2,400

12,000

(NA)

11,300

3,400

2,250

3,100

(NA)

22,550

70,400

225,310

160

3,100

3,200

(NA)

1,950

2,500

4,900

1,950

(NA)

2,650

1,600

12,600

1,300

3,600

44,000

3,000

(NA)

1,800

88,150

(NA)

(NA)

4,900

9,400

(NA)

2,200

12,000

(NA)

11,300

3,600

2,300

3,100

(NA)

22,750

71,550

226,900

155

800

950

(NA)

900

1,000

1,320

900

(NA)

1,000

800

6,100

400

900

20,800

900

(NA)

530

37,300

(NA)

(NA)

3,600

5,900

(NA)

1,950

15,400

(NA)

8,400

3,100

1,500

1,800

(NA)

11,850

53,500

151,300

70

800

1,100

(NA)

900

1,000

1,400

900

(NA)

900

800

6,000

400

800

18,400

800

(NA)

540

34,740

(NA)

(NA)

3,700

5,800

(NA)

1,900

15,400

(NA)

8,500

3,200

1,400

1,800

(NA)

11,750

53,450

148,000

65

See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued
18 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Land in Farms: Economic Sales Class by State, Region, United States, and Puerto Rico 2008-2009 -

Continued

State and region

Economic sales class

$250,000-$499,999 $500,000 & over Total

2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres)

Northeast

 Connecticut ...............................

 Maine ........................................

 Massachusetts ..........................

 New Hampshire ........................

 New Jersey ...............................

 New York ..................................

 Pennsylvania .............................

 Rhode Island .............................

 Vermont ....................................

 Other States 2...........................

 Total ..........................................

North Central

 Illinois ........................................

 Indiana ......................................

 Iowa ..........................................

 Kansas ......................................

 Michigan ...................................

 Minnesota .................................

 Missouri ....................................

 Nebraska ..................................

 North Dakota .............................

 Ohio ..........................................

 South Dakota ............................

 Wisconsin .................................

 Total ..........................................

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

850

950

(NA)

(NA)

445

2,245

4,800

2,500

6,900

8,400

1,400

4,800

3,200

9,100

8,200

2,400

10,400

2,600

64,700

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

810

950

(NA)

(NA)

455

2,215

4,800

2,500

6,900

8,200

1,500

4,800

3,400

9,700

8,400

2,350

10,300

2,800

65,650

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

2,190

1,200

(NA)

(NA)

965

4,355

14,800

7,000

12,100

16,400

3,400

9,900

6,600

20,600

16,300

4,100

15,000

3,900

130,100

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

2,030

1,200

(NA)

(NA)

955

4,185

15,000

6,900

12,100

16,800

3,600

10,000

7,000

20,200

16,300

4,100

15,200

4,100

131,300

400

1,350

520

470

730

7,100

7,750

70

1,220

19,610

26,700

14,800

30,800

46,200

10,000

26,900

29,100

45,600

39,600

13,900

43,700

15,200

342,500

400

1,350

520

470

730

7,100

7,750

70

1,220

19,610

26,700

14,800

30,800

46,200

10,000

26,900

29,100

45,600

39,600

13,800

43,700

15,200

342,400

See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued
Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010) 19

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Land in Farms: Economic Sales Class by State, Region, United States, and Puerto Rico 2008-2009 -

Continued

State and region

Economic sales class

$250,000-$499,999 $500,000 & over Total

2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres)

South

 Alabama ...................................

 Arkansas ..................................

 Delaware ..................................

 Florida ......................................

 Georgia .....................................

 Kentucky ...................................

 Louisiana ..................................

 Maryland ...................................

 Mississippi ................................

 North Carolina ..........................

 Oklahoma .................................

 South Carolina ..........................

 Tennessee ................................

 Texas ........................................

 Virginia .....................................

 West Virginia ............................

 Other States 3...........................

 Total .........................................

West

 Alaska .......................................

 Arizona .....................................

 California ..................................

 Colorado ...................................

 Hawaii .......................................

 Idaho ........................................

 Montana ...................................

 Nevada .....................................

 New Mexico ..............................

 Oregon .....................................

 Utah ..........................................

 Washington ...............................

 Wyoming ..................................

 Other States 4...........................

 Total .........................................

United States ................................

Puerto Rico ...................................

700

1,400

(NA)

900

950

1,020

900

(NA)

900

1,150

4,300

300

800

15,300

650

(NA)

430

29,700

(NA)

(NA)

2,900

5,600

(NA)

1,300

14,400

(NA)

7,700

2,600

1,200

2,800

(NA)

8,400

46,900

143,545

40

700

1,300

(NA)

900

900

1,100

900

(NA)

1,000

1,200

4,400

300

900

20,500

650

(NA)

420

35,170

(NA)

(NA)

2,900

5,400

(NA)

1,200

14,400

(NA)

7,700

2,400

1,100

2,800

(NA)

8,500

46,400

149,435

40

1,350

5,900

(NA)

4,100

2,900

2,250

2,900

(NA)

3,000

3,000

6,100

1,100

1,750

32,000

1,250

(NA)

1,100

68,700

(NA)

(NA)

12,100

8,700

(NA)

4,800

16,500

(NA)

12,600

5,600

5,300

5,800

(NA)

18,500

89,900

293,055

80

1,300

5,900

(NA)

4,100

2,800

2,200

2,900

(NA)

3,100

3,000

6,100

1,100

1,800

28,000

1,350

(NA)

1,150

64,800

(NA)

(NA)

12,100

8,100

(NA)

5,100

16,500

(NA)

12,500

5,600

5,400

5,800

(NA)

18,600

89,700

289,985

70

8,950

13,700

500

9,250

10,400

14,000

8,050

2,050

11,000

8,600

35,100

4,900

10,900

130,400

8,000

3,700

279,500

890

26,100

25,400

31,300

1,110

11,400

60,800

5,900

43,000

16,400

11,100

14,800

30,100

278,300

919,910

470

9,000

13,600

490

9,250

10,300

14,000

8,050

2,050

11,050

8,600

35,100

4,900

10,900

130,400

8,000

3,700

279,390

880

26,100

25,400

31,300

1,120

11,400

60,800

5,900

43,000

16,400

11,100

14,800

30,200

278,400

919,800

450

(NA) Not available.

1 Revised.

2 Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

3 Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia.

4 Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Wyoming.
20 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Cattle and Calves: Number of Operations and Percent of Inventory by Size Group, United States, 

2008-2009

Head

Operations Percent of inventory

2008 1 2009 2008 1 2009

(number) (number) (percent) (percent)

Cattle and calves .....................................

 1-49 .......................................................

 50-99 .....................................................

 100-499 .................................................

 500-999 .................................................

 1,000-1,999 ............................................

 2,000-4,999 ............................................

 5,000-9,999 ............................................

 10,000-19,999 ........................................

 20,000+ ..................................................

 Total .......................................................

Beef cows2

 1-49 .......................................................

 50-99 .....................................................

 100-499 .................................................

 500-999 .................................................

 1,000-1,999 ............................................

 2,000-4,999 ............................................

 5,000+ ....................................................

 Total .......................................................

645,000

133,000

147,600

19,100

6,600

3,030

700

260

210

955,500

601,000

83,000

67,200

4,340

1,125

280

55

757,000

642,000

132,000

146,300

19,000

6,500

3,010

720

270

200

950,000

598,000

82,000

67,200

4,350

1,110

280

60

753,000

11.4

9.7

31.2

13.4

9.1

8.8

4.7

3.5

8.2

100.0

28.5

17.1

38.0

8.7

4.5

2.1

1.1

100.0

11.4

9.7

31.2

13.5

9.0

8.8

4.8

3.7

7.9

100.0

28.3

17.1

38.0

8.8

4.5

2.1

1.2

100.0

1 Revised.

2

Included in operations with cattle.

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

1,300

1,400

89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09

Operations (000)

Number of All Cattle and Beef Cow Operations, United States

All Beef
Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010) 21

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Milk Cows: Number of Operations, Percent of Inventory, and Percent of Milk Production by Size 

Group, United States, 2008-2009

Head

Operations 1 Percent of

inventory

Percent of

production 2

2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009

(number) (number) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent)

1-29 ...............................

30-49 .............................

50-99 .............................

100-199 .........................

200-499 .........................

500-999 .........................

1,000-1,999 ...................

2,000+ ...........................

Total ..............................

21,300

11,900

17,800

8,700

3,950

1,720

900

730

67,000

20,400

11,500

17,300

8,600

3,850

1,700

910

740

65,000

1.8

5.1

13.1

12.5

12.6

12.5

13.1

29.3

100.0

1.8

4.9

13.0

12.4

12.3

12.5

13.3

29.8

100.0

1.2

3.9

11.5

11.8

13.1

12.5

15.5

30.5

100.0

1.2

3.8

11.4

11.6

12.5

12.6

15.7

31.2

100.0

1

Included in operations with cattle.

2 Estimates reflect the average distributions of various probability surveys conducted during the year.

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09

Operations (000)

Number of Milk Cow Operations, United States
22 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Hogs and Pigs: Number of Operations and Percent of Inventory by Size Group, United States, 

2008-2009

Head

Operations Percent of inventory

2008 2009 2008 2009

(number) (number) (percent) (percent)

1-99 ..............................................

100-499 ........................................

500-999 ........................................

1,000-1,999 ...................................

2,000-4,999 ...................................

5,000+ ..........................................

Total .............................................

50,680

6,740

3,490

3,950

5,370

2,920

73,150

50,400

6,100

3,200

3,550

5,250

2,950

71,450

0.9

2.5

3.5

8.0

24.0

61.1

100.0

0.9

2.3

3.3

7.5

24.0

62.0

100.0

Hogs and Pigs: Number of Operations and Percent of Inventory by Size Group, Based on Ownership, 

United States, 2008-2009

Head

Operations Percent of inventory

2008 2009 2008 2009

(number) (number) (percent) (percent)

1-99 ..............................................

100-499 ........................................

500-999 ........................................

1,000-1,999 ...................................

2,000-4,999 ...................................

5,000-9,999 ...................................

10,000-19,999 ...............................

20,000-49,999 ...............................

50,000+ .........................................

Total .............................................

50,610

5,870

2,380

2,160

2,350

705

365

185

135

64,760

50,370

5,370

2,050

1,900

2,200

745

350

185

130

63,300

1.0

2.4

2.4

4.5

10.7

7.4

7.4

8.5

55.7

100.0

0.9

2.2

2.2

4.0

9.7

8.0

7.3

9.0

56.7

100.0

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09

Operations (000)

Number of Hog Operations, United States
Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010) 23

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Sheep and Goat Operations: Number of Operations with Sheep or Goats, United States, 2008-2009

Commodity 2008 1 2009

(number) (number)

Sheep .........................................................................................................

Angora Goats .............................................................................................

Milk Goats ..................................................................................................

Meat and Other Goats ................................................................................

All Goats .....................................................................................................

82,500

6,500

29,000

129,000

150,000

82,000

5,400

30,000

130,000

152,000

1 Revised.

Breeding Sheep: Survey Percent by Size Group, United States, 2008-2009

[Percents reflect distributions from the January annual survey]

Item

1-99 head 100-499 head 500-4,999 head 5,000+ head

2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009

Operations

Inventory

92.5

32.6

93.7

36.2

6.2

22.7

5.2

20.8

1.2

30.2

1.0

31.3

0.1

14.5

0.1

11.7

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

89 91 93 95 97 99 01 03 05 07 09

Operations (000)

Number of Sheep Operations, United States
24 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Reliability of Farm Numbers and Land in Farms Data in this Report

Survey Procedures: Data are collected by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) during the June 

Agricultural Survey using sampling procedures to ensure every farm and ranch has a chance of being selected. NASS uses 

a multiple sampling frame approach to count farms and measure land in farms. An Area Sampling Frame that divides all 

land into segments is built for every State. A sample of segments is selected in each State and enumerated in early June. 

Highly trained interviewers locate each sampled segment and identify every farm and ranch operating land in the segment 

and the number of acres in each operation. 

These data are used to compute summary indications of farm numbers and acres of land in farms. Additionally, all farms 

found in the segments are checked against a list of farms and ranches maintained by NASS to determine if the farm is on 

the list. Operations found in the Area Frame sample that are not on the list provide a measure of incompleteness of the list.

The summarized totals for these non-overlap (or not-on-list) operations are combined with summarized totals collected 

from a sample selected from the list to calculate additional indications of farms and land in farms.

Estimation Procedures: Data are checked for reasonableness and consistency and summarized for each state. State 

estimates are aggregated to regional and national totals for Headquarters review. Field Offices perform a thorough review 

of their survey results and historical data relationships and recommend official estimates. Headquarters establishes 

regional and national estimates and ensures that state estimates are in balance with the Regional and National numbers.

Revision Policy: Estimates are subject to revision the following year and following review of the five-year Census of 

Agriculture. The basis for revision must be supported by additional data which directly affects the level of the estimate. 

Reliability: Two types of errors, sampling and non-sampling, are possible in an estimate based on a sample survey. Both 

types can affect the quality of the estimates.

Sampling error occurs because a complete census is not taken. The sampling error measures the variation in estimates 

from the average of all possible samples. An estimate of 100 with a sampling error of 1 would mean that chances are 19 

out of 20 that the estimates from all possible samples averaged together would be between 98 and 102; which is the 

survey estimate, plus or minus two times the sampling error. The sampling error expressed as a percent of the estimate is 

called the relative sampling error. The relative sampling error for the U.S. number of farms and land in farms is 1.3 and 

1.4 percent respectively. The sampling error for total number of farms and total land in farms is less than the sampling 

error for each component of the total, such as number of farms by economic sales class. Relative sampling errors by 

economic sales class generally ranged from 1.8 to 3.4 percent for number of farms and 2.1 to 6.8 percent for land in farms 

at the U.S. level.

Non-sampling errors can occur in complete censuses as well as sample surveys. They are caused by the inability to obtain 

correct information from each person surveyed, differences in interpreting questions or definitions, and mistakes in coding 

or processing the data. Special efforts are taken at each step of the survey to minimize non-sampling errors.
Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010) 25

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Terms and Definitions

A farm is “any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would 

have been sold, during the year”. Government payments are included in sales. Ranches, institutional farms, experimental 

and research farms, and Indian Reservations are included as farms. Places with the entire acreage enrolled in the 

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), or other government programs are counted as 

farms.

The definition of a farm was first established in 1850 and has changed nine times since. The current definition was first 

used for the 1974 Census.

Land in farms consists of agricultural land used for crops, pasture, or grazing. Also included is woodland and wasteland 

not actually under cultivation or used for pasture or grazing, provided it was part of the farm operator’s total operation. 

Land in farms includes acres in the Conservation Reserve, Wetlands Reserve Programs, or other government programs.

Land in farms includes land owned and operated as well as land rented from others. Land used rent-free is included as 

land rented from others. All grazing land, except land used under government permits on a per-head basis, is included as 

land in farms provided it was part of a farm or ranch. Land under the exclusive use of a grazing association is reported by 

the grazing association and included as land in farms. All land in American Indian reservations used for growing crops or 

grazing livestock is included as land in farms. Land in reservations not reported by individual American Indians or nonNative Americans is reported in the name of the cooperative group that used the land. In many instances, the entire 

American Indian reservation is reported as one farm.

Economic sales classes are based on the gross value of agricultural products sold. Government program payments are 

also included.

Point Farms are places that did not have $1,000 of reported sales for the year, but had sufficient crops and livestock to 

normally have sales of $1,000 or more.

A cattle operation is any place having one or more head of cattle on hand on December 31.

A beef cow operation is any place having one or more head of beef cows on hand on December 31.

A milk cow operation is any place having one or more head of milk cows on hand on December 31.

A hogs and pigs operation is any place having one or more hog or pig on hand on December 31.

A sheep and lamb operation is any place having one or more head of sheep or lambs on hand on December 31.

A goat and kid operation is any place having one or more head of goats or kids on hand on December 31.
26 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Farm Definition History

The definition of a farm has remained the same since 1974. Activities included as agriculture, however, have undergone 

modification in recent years. Beginning in 1995, operations having 5 or more horses or ponies and no other agricultural 

sales were counted as horse farms. An operation with 1 or more horses with agricultural sales of at least $1,000, qualified 

as a farm. Two industries, maple syrup and short rotation woody crop farms, were added beginning in 1997 as a result of 

the new North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). These changes were made to achieve comparability 

with the Census of Agriculture farm definition. All the changes in the farm definition beginning in 1995 were carried back 

to 1993 and included in the 1993-1998 estimates. These changes bring comparability between the Census of Agriculture 

data and the annually published NASS estimates. Because of these changes in the farm definition, the official estimates 

show a level difference in the number of farms between 1992 and 1993 in some states. To further align the counting of 

farms with the Census of Agriculture, places with 100 acres or more of pasture only in 2002 were included in farm and 

land in farm numbers. The handling of Indian reservation land was changed in 2002 to provide some accounting for 

individual farms.

Minimum Criteria for “FARM” Definition, 1840 - Present 

and Enumeration of Apiaries and Fur Farms

Year Acres in 

Place

Value of 

Agricultural 

Products 

(Produced)

Value of Sales 

of

Agricultural 

Products

Required 

some 

Agricultural 

Operations

Apiaries and 

Fur Farms 

Enumerated

1974 -

Present

- - - - $1,000 or more - - - -

1959 Less than 

10

10 or more

- -

- -

$250 or more

$50 or more

- -

- -

- -

- -

1954 Less than 3

3 or more

- -

$150 or more

$150 or more

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

1950 Less than 3

3 or more

- -

$150 or more

$150 or more

- -

- -

- -

Apiaries

Fur Farms

1935 - 1945 Less than 3

3 or more

$250 or more

- -

- -

- -

- -

X

Apiaries

Fur Farms

1930 Less than 3

3 or more

$250 or more

- -

- -

- -

- -

X

Apiaries

- -

1925 Less than 3

3 or more

$250 or more

- -

- -

- -

- -

X

- -

- -

1910 - 1925 Less than 3

3 or more

$250 or more

- -

- -

- -

- -

X

Apiaries

- -

1900 Less than 3

3 or more

- -

- -

- -

- -

- -

X

Apiaries

- -

1870 - 1890 Less than 3

3 or more

- -

- -

$500 or more

- -

- -

X

Apiaries

- -

1860 - - - - - - - - - -

1850 - - $100 or more - - - - Apiaries

1840 - - - - - - - - - -

Historic Estimates: Final estimates of Farms and Land in Farms in earlier years are available in Statistical Bulletins, No. 

991 for 1998-2002, No. 955 for 1993-97, No. 895 for 1988-92, No. 792 for 1979-87, SpSy3 for 1975-80, No. 594 for 
Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010) 27

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

1969-75, No. 507 for 1959-70, No. 316 for number of farm estimates for 1910-59 and land in farms estimates for 

1950-59.
28 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Special Note Regarding the 2007 Estimates

Census: The Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations publication is produced annually. The purpose of this 

publication is to provide annual estimates of Farms, Land in Farms, and Operations with Livestock. It also provides 

revisions, as necessary, to previous year estimates. The Census of Agriculture, conducted every five years provides a base 

from which the annual surveys measure the change from that base. At the end of the next five year cycle, the annual 

estimates are revised based on inter-census trends.

The 2007 Census of Agriculture showed a significant increase in the number of farms, and reversed the downward trend 

that was shown in the annual estimates of Farm Numbers since the 2002 Census of Agriculture. NASS believes that some 

of the increase is due to methodological changes that allowed NASS to more accurately count small farms in the 2007 

Census. This is discussed in more detail below. 

Methodological Discussion: Each year NASS conducts the June Area Frame Survey (AFS) to provide an estimate of the 

number of farms and the land in farms. The exception is Alaska, which does not have an area frame and uses a list survey 

instead. The area frame is stratified by land use. A sample of approximately 11,000 segments of land (each approximately 

one square mile in size) is selected, and field enumerators visit each sampled segment to identify agricultural activity 

within the segment. The AFS is assumed to provide complete coverage of the universe of farm and ranch operations 

because the area-based frame covers all land in the U.S.

In preparation for the census of agriculture, NASS builds the Census Mail List (CML) consisting of all known farms and 

potential farms. In addition, NASS uses the area frame sample to measure and account for the incompleteness of the CML 

in a dual-frame estimation procedure. This dual-frame estimation procedure assumes complete coverage of the universe of 

farm and ranch operations because the undercoverage of the CML is accounted for through the area frame sample. 

Results from the 2002 Census of Agriculture indicated undercoverage of farms in the lowest value of sales categories. 

This category includes a high concentration of disadvantaged and minority farm operators. In preparation for the 2007 

Census, NASS exerted more extensive efforts than in previous censuses to build a comprehensive list. Additionally, 

NASS worked with several community based organizations and producer groups to enhance awareness, to increase 

response, and to improve coverage of these types of farms. This resulted in a 2007 CML with 3,194,373 records as 

compared with 2,841,788 in 2002. Additionally, NASS augmented the area frame sample with segments that were located 

in areas where small and minority operated farms were likely to be located. 

The 2007 Census of Agriculture produced a greater number of farms in the lowest value of sales categories. The extensive 

list building efforts and the augmentation of the area frame sample allowed NASS to capture more of the small farms with 

less than $10,000 in value of agricultural sales. Additionally, 2007 was a year of relatively high commodity prices. As the 

value of farm commodities increased, more very small operations are able to meet the $1,000 value of sales threshold to 

qualify as a farm in the census. 

After the 2007 Census of Agriculture NASS conducted a classification error research study for the census in five states. 

The study used data from the 2007 AFS and the 2007 census to examine whether there were farms incorrectly classified 

as nonfarms, and whether there were any nonfarms incorrectly classified as farms. Records in the 2007 AFS were 

matched to the 2007 census using probabilistic record linkage. Records whose farm status differed in the two data 

collections were interviewed to determine which data source was correct. 

Results of the study showed that where there were discrepancies in farm status between the two reports, the census data 

was more often correct than the AFS data. Some AFS farms had not been correctly classified by the enumeration and 

processing procedures. These results challenged the NASS assumption made for its annual estimates that all farms are 

captured using the AFS estimation procedures. This assumption had been made on the basis of the completeness of the 

frame, the high quality of the personal enumeration mode utilized for the data collection, and the extensive training of 

field enumerators collecting the data. However, the more extensive census procedures using dual-frame estimation 

produced a larger farm count than the AFS estimation. This result and the results of the research study provided evidence 

that the AFS procedure is underestimating the number of farms. Because the AFS estimate is the major indicator for 

producing annual farm number estimates, it is likely these farms were also underestimated in the non census years.
Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010) 29

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

The 2007- 2009 farm number estimates reflect adjustments in the number of farms based on estimates produced by the 

2007 Census of Agriculture. NASS has launched a research initiative to address the methodological issues discussed 

above. 
30 Farms, Land in Farms, and Livestock Operations 2009 Summary (February 2010)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Information Contacts

Listed below are the commodity statisticians in the Economics Section of the Environmental, Economics, and 

Demographics Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail 

inquiries may be sent to nass@nass.usda.gov.

Kevin Barnes, Chief, Environmental, Economics, and Demographics Branch .....................(202) 720-6146

Kevin Hintzman, Head, Economics Section ..........................................................................(202) 690-3223

Richard Barton – ARMS...........................................................................................(202) 690-1052

Daryl Brinkman – Prices Received, Prices Received Indexes..................................(202) 720-8844

Kuan Chen – Prices, Prices Research........................................................................(202) 720-5446

Angie Considine – Cash Rents..................................................................................(202) 720-2250

Mark Gorsak – Prices, Prices Research ....................................................................(202) 720-3225

Michael Mathison – ARMS ......................................................................................(202) 720-3243

Joe Samson – Cash Receipts, Grazing Fees..............................................................(202) 690-3347

Scott Shimmin – Farm Numbers, Land in Farms, Land Values ...............................(202) 690-3231

Jennifer Sissom – Prices Paid, Prices Paid Indexes ..................................................(202) 690-3229

Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch .................................................................................(202) 720-3570

Scott Hollis, Head, Livestock Section....................................................................................(202) 720-3570

Sherry Bertramsen - Livestock Slaughter .................................................................(515) 284-4340

Jim Collom - Dairy Products.....................................................................................(202) 690-3236

Joe Gaynor - Dairy Products Prices ..........................................................................(202) 690-2168

Jason Hardegree - Cattle, Cattle on Feed ..................................................................(202) 720-3040

Mike Miller - Milk Production and Milk Cows........................................................(202) 720-3278

Everett Olbert - Sheep & Lambs, Goats & Kids.......................................................(202) 720-4751

Nick Streff - Hogs and Pigs.......................................................................................(202) 720-3106
Access to NASS Reports

For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways:

 All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: www.nass.usda.gov. 

 Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e-mail subscription. To set-up this free 

subscription, visit www.nass.usda.gov and in the “Syndication” box under “Receive reports by E-mail,” click on 

“National” or “State” to select the reports you would like to receive. 

 Printed reports and products may be purchased by calling toll-free (800) 999-6779, or (703) 605-6220 if calling 

from outside the United States or Canada. Accepted methods of payment are Visa, MasterCard, check, or money 

order. 

For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540, 7:30 

a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov. 

 

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