Lesson Plans 

The Census of 

Agriculture 

AG CENSUS USA 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS 
fib 

17 S-3 

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These lesson plans were prepared under contract from the Bureau of the Census by 

Agri/W ashington of Washington, DC. The Agriculture Division, Bureau of the 

Census welcomes comments on the value, substance, and format of these lessons. 

The Bureau of the Census is staffed to respond to questions concerning U.S. 

agriculture and hopes that these lessons will encourage students and teachers to 

pursue related topics of interest. Further information can be obtained from 

members of the Agriculture Division staff at (301) 763-8561. 
Teacher's Guide,----

U.s. Agriculture 

.... the food and fiber sector 

based on data from 

the 1987 Census of Agriculture 

ALBERT R. MANN 

LIBRARY 

AT 

CORNELL UNIVERSIT' 

u.s. Dep~ent of Commerce 

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS 

Teacher's Guide 

This is a four lesson module providing lesson plans and supporting material 

designed to help you instruct your students about the census of agr:culture. The 

module is based on information collected in the 1987 Census of Agriculture. 

Development of these lessons has been funded by the Agriculture Division of the 

Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce. 

The primary objective is to provide lessons that describe major facets of U.S. 

agriculture, illustrating these lessons with census of agriculture information. A 

secondary objective is to inform students about th~ purpose and role of the 

agriculture census. Other objectives include exposing the students to domestic 

geography and having students use simple but appropriate mathematics in realistic 

applications. 

Following the 1982 Census of Agriculture, the Bureau of the Census published a 

set of lesson plans for students. This current set of lesson plans supersedes the 

previous plans and makes use of information from the latest census. Unless 

otherwise referenced, all data come from the 1987 Census of Agriculture. 

Contents ------------------------------------------------ Major topics: Lessons in this module describe the census of agriculture and 

present an introduction to agriculture in the United States, focusing on agriculture 

production, agribusiness, and how agriculture affects community 

characteristics. 

Lesson I provides an overview of the three component sections of agriculture. It 

then proceeds to describe the agricultural census which is the source of most of the 

data used in these lessons. 

Lesson II describes production agriculture in the U.S. It identifies the major 

crops and livestock and describes geographically where production is located. 

Lesson III addresses what goes into and what comes out of agriculture under the 

heading agribusiness. 

Lesson IV discusses community characteristics as they are influenced by 

agriculture. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE TEACHER'S GUIDE-3 
Teachers are, of course, free to abbreviate or increase the number of lessons and to 

change their sequence. Each lesson follows a similar fonnat. A narrative text is 

provided which is supported by tables, graphs, and maps. Teachers are encouraged 

to use the material in the way that best suits them and their students. It can be 

distributed to the students for self study, or the teacher can lead the class through 

the narrative towards a discussion period. Each lesson is accompanied by test 

questions and suggested discussion topics. Correct responses to the questions are 

given at the end of this Teacher's Guide. Also included are possible solutions to 

the discussion topics in the lessons. In situations where there is insufficient 

spontaneous discussion, the teacher may use the infonnation in this guide to 

initiate the discussion. The discussion topics are presented only to enhance the 

debate on the subject matter. This Teacher's Guide also contains a glossary of 

tenns and descriptions of the reports available from the census of agriculture. 

The Agriculture Division of the Census Bureau has previously issued lesson plans. 

Accompanying those lesson plans was a postage paid evaluation card. Every card 

received was reviewed before preparing this set of lesson plans. All of the teachers 

who took the time to fill out and mail the card are thanked. Your written 

comments are especially useful. 

Responses were received from several hundred teachers in highly diverse locations 

(including inner cities, traditional fann belt, and horticultural regions), almost all 

of whom, quite reasonably, wanted the lessons directed more to their specific and 

local conditions. For those teachers who do want more specific regional 

information, it is suggested that you contact the Bureau. Bureau staff will be 

pleased to provide you with supplemental infonnation and to answer your 

questions. It is suggested that you give as much lead time as possible. 

Responses were also received from teachers of learning disabled and gifted and 

talented children. Their needs were somewhat different. Regrettably, lesson plans 

cannot be tailored for everyone. It is suggested that each teacher adapt the content 

to their specific needs. 

We would also like your comments on these lessons. Write to: Bureau of the 

Census, Agriculture Division, Data Requirements & Outreach Branch, Room 436, 

I-Mall, Washington, DC 20233. 

4-TEACHER'S GUIDE 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Lesson Outlines 

Lesson I - Introduction to Agriculture and the Agriculture Census 

(A) Food and fiber sector 

(B) Background information on the agriculture census with emphasis on 

the economic and agricultural censuses 

Lesson II - Production Agriculture 

(A) Major crops by value of sales 

(B) Geographical emphasis on different types of agriculture 

1. Crop production by geographic area 

2. Livestock and poultry production by geographic area 

Lesson III - Agribusiness 

(A) Identify inputs used in farming 

(B) Discuss dependence of agriculture on inputs by product 

(C) Discuss dependence of rural economy on farming and inputs 

(dealers, mainten~ce services, banks, service industries, etc.) 

(D) Discuss conclusions about inputs (Do inputs follow the general 

trends in agriculture? What are the exceptions?) 

(E) Show trends in the food industry 

1. Expenditures on food vs. receipts by farmers 

2. Trends in labor, distribution, profitability 

Lesson IV - The Effect of Agriculture on Community Characteristics 

(A) Operational definition of a community 

(B) Items in the census of agriculture 

(C) Uses of census of agriculture data at the community level 

1. Agribusinesses and farmer cooperatives 

2. Govemment 

3. Operator characteristics 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE TEACHER'S GUIDE-5 
Possible Solutions for Lesson I Discussion Topics 

(1) As Americans purchase more and more fruit and veget:lbles, it would be useful 

to know more about the production of these products. This would enable the food 

processing industry to fashion their transportation system accordingly. 

(2) The importance of the census lies in such areas as providing industry and 

legislatures with information with which to make decisions concerning investment 

and government programs. It should not be forgotten that it also provides the 

individual farmer with the opportunity to evaluate his or her competitiveness with 

neighbors and perhaps improve productivity or move into different types of 

production. 

(3) Criteria on how to conduct a census or survey are dependent on the required 

accuracy and speed needed, the communications facilities (e.g., mail, telephones, 

etc.) in the region, the funds available, the literacy of the population, etc. 

Multiple Choice Answers - Lesson I 

( 1) c 

(2) c 

(3) b 

(4) a 

(5) b 

(6) a 

(7) c 

(8) a 

(9) a 

(10) a 

(11) a 

6-TEACHER'S GUIDE 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Possible Solutions for Lesson IT Discussion Topics 

(1) Americans are eating less meat. They are substituting chicken for red meat due 

to its lower cost and because of health reasons. Consumption of eggs and some 

dairy products has also decreased due to health concerns. Consumption of fresh 

fruit and vegetables is increasing as people appreciate the beneficial nutritional and 

fiber content of these products. Use of sugar has declined and has been replaced 

by high fructose com syrup (HFCS) and by artificial sweeteners. Use of animal 

fats for cooking has declined and has been replaced by vegetable oils and fats. 

(2) Exports of agricultural products have traditionally been important to the 

American farmer; approximately a quarter of production has, at times, been for 

export. Exports permit farmers to have a wider market and benefit many poor 

countries by providing low cost staples. 

Imports provide American consumers with a wide choice of fresh products year 

round at low prices. America's readiness to import agricultural produce 

demonstrates America's commitment to trade and the economic concept of 

"competitive advantage. " 

(3) Hog and pig production closely follows the production of com and other grains 

·that are used for feed for livestock. 

Multiple Choice Answers - Lesson II 

(1) c 

(2) b 

(3) b 

(4) a 

(5) a 

(6) d 

(7) b 

(8) d 

(9) b 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE TEACHER'S GUIDE-7 
Possible Solutions for Lesson III Discussion Topics 

(1) Commodity prices are generally set by the world price for a commodity or by a 

government set price. So improvement of productivity in farming comes about 

largely from cost reduction and improved farm practices. To the extent that 

farmers are able to use and pay less for inputs while maintaining yields, they will 

be able to improve productivity. Examples of such practices are reduced use of 

fertilizer and pesticides, and careful nutrition control for animals resulting in 

healthier animals and fewer losses. A further example is the ability to use 

specialized equipment necessary for small farm operations or large farm operations 

thus increasing the utilization of the equipment. This is known as economics of 

scale and results in lower unit costs. 

(2) The money paid to the food processing industry provides consumers primarily 

with time saved. Time which would have been spent in preparing food is available 

for other activities. 

(3) A man's cotton shirt may be purchased for between $15 and $40 (or more) in 

the U.S. Such a shirt may require eight ounces of cotton. The recent price of 

cotton has been 65 to 70 cents per pound, so the raw materials in the shirt cost 

about 35 cents. Thus, the farmer receives less than 2% of the price of the shirt. 

The remainder is spent on spinning, weaving, and dying the fabric; tailoring and 

packaging of the shirt; marketing; and distribution in stores. 

Multiple Choice Answers - Lesson III 

(1) c 

(2) c 

(3) b ($32 billion are spent on packaging annually. With U.S. population of about 

240 million, this is about $133 per person.) 

(4) c 

(5) d (Add expenses for livestock and poultry purchased with expenses for feed for 

livestock and poultry purchased.) 

(6) a 

8-TEACHER'S GUIDE 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Possible Solutions for Lesson IV Discussion Topics 

(1) Fann implement dealers (tractors, combines, plows, etc.), feed and grain stores, 

livestock slaughter houses, poultry processing plants, and grain elevators are all 

examples of agribusinesses that use the census of agriculture to better serve 

agricultural producers. 

(2) Local officials can use the census to benefit agricultural producers by getting an 

idea of the type of agricultural production in their community over several years. 

Once they have an idea of what type of production is prevalent in their community, 

they can pass laws or ordinances to sustain production by protecting valuable 

farmland or giving tax breaks to producers. 

(3) Refer to table 2 in Lesson N for your State. 

Matching Answers - Lesson IV 

(1) d 

(2) c 

(3) f 

(4) b 

(5) a 

(6) e 

Multiple Choice Answers - Lesson IV 

(1) a 

(2) c 

(3) d 

(4) b 

(5) c 

True or False Answers - Lesson IV 

(6) False 

(7) True 

(8) True 

(9) True 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE TEACHER'S GUIDE-9 
Glossary of Census Terms 

The census of agriculture uses basic industry terms which are familiar to 

agricultural professionals. The following defmitions and explanations provide a 

more detailed description of the terms than is available in the tables or on the 

report form. Most defmitions of terms are the same as those used in earlier 

censuses. The more important exceptions are also noted here. 

Acres and quantity harvested. Crops were reported in whole acres, except for 

the following crops which were reported in tenths of acres: Irish potatoes, sweet 

potatoes, tobacco, fruit and nut crops including land in orchards, berries, 

vegetables, and nursery and greenhouse crops; and in Hawaii, taro, ginger root, and 

lotus root. Totals for crops reported in tenths of acres were rounded to whole acres 

at the aggregate level during the tabulation process. 

Commodity Credit Corporation loans. This category includes loans for com, 

wheat, soybeans, sorghum, barley, oats, cotton, peanuts, rye, rice, tobacco, and 

honey. 

Cropland, harvested. This category includes land from which crops were 

harvested or hay was cut, and land in orchards, citrus groves, vineyards, nurseries, 

and greenhouses. Land from which two or more crops were harvested was counted 

only once, even though there was more than one use of the land. 

Cropland, total. Total cropland consists of land from which crops were harvested 

or hay was cut; land in orchards, citrus groves, vineyards, and nursery and 

greenhouse products; cropland used only for pasture or grazing; cropland used for 

cover crops, legumes, and soil improvement grasses; cropland on which all crops 

failed; and cropland in cultivated summer fallow. It also included cropland that 

was idle. 

Customwork and other agricultural services. This income includes gross 

receipts received by farm operators for providing services for others such as 

planting, plowing, spraying, and harvesting. Income from customwork and other 

agricultural services is generally included in the agriculture census if it is closely 

related to the farming operation. However, it is excluded if it constitutes a separate 

business or is conducted from another location. 

10-TEACHER'S GUIDE 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Farms by size. All farms were classified into selected size groups according to 

the total land area in the farm. The land area of a farm is an operating unit concept 

and includes land owned and operated as well as land rented from others. Land 

rented to or assigned to a tenant was considered the tenant's farm and not the 

owner's. 

Farms by value of agricultural products sold or value of sales. In 1987, all 

farms were tabulated by size based on reported sales. In 1982 and earlier censuses, 

abnormal farms were not tabulated based on sales size. In the tables on market 

value of agricultural products sold, the sales of abnormal farms in 1982 and earlier 

censuses were included in the total sales figure but excluded from the detailed size 

categories. Abnormal farms include institutional-farms, experimental and research 

farms, and Indian reservations. The category "farms with sales of less than 

$1,000" included all farms with actual sales of less than $1,000 but having the 

production potential for sales of $1,000 or more. These farms normally could be 

expected to sell $1,000 or more of agricultural products. 

Other farm-related income. The 1987 ,report form included a new inquiry on 

income from farm-related sources. These data consist of gross income in 1987 

before taxes and expenses from the sales of farm byproducts and other sales and 

services closely related to the principal functions of the farm business. These data 

are for income producing activities that are primarily a byproduct or supp1emental 

to the farm operation. They exclude income from business activities thal are 

separate from the farm business. 

I 

Government payments. This category is limited to direct cash or generic 

commodity certificate payments (PIK) received by the farm operator in 1987. It 

includes deficiency and diversion payments; wool payments; payments from the 

Dairy Termination Program, the Conservation Reserve Program, other 

conservation programs, and all other Federal farm programs under which payments 

were made directly to farm operators. 

Land area. The approximate land area of counties and States shown represents 

the total land area as determined by records and calculations as of January 1, 1988. 

These data are updated periodically; however, the acreages shown for 1987 are 

essentially the same as in 1982. Any differences between the land area in 1987 

and 1982 are due to annexations and other changes affecting county boundaries. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE TEACHER'S GUIDE-11 
Market value of agricultural products. This category represents the gross 

market value before taxes and production expenses of all agricultural products sold 

or removed from the place in 1987 regardless of who received the payment. It 

includes sales by the operator as well as the value of any shares received by 

partners, landlords, contractors, or others associated with the operation. In 

addition, it includes receipts from placing commodities in the Commodity Credit 

Corporation (CCC) loan program in 1987. It does not include payments received 

for participation in Federalfarm programs nor does it include income from 

farm-related sources such as customwork and other agricultural services, or 

income from nonfarm sources. 

Operator. The term operator designates a person who operates a farm, either 

doing the work or making day-to-day decisions about such things as planting, 

harvesting, feeding, and marketing. The operator may be the owner, a member of 

the owner's household, a hired manager, a tenant, a renter, or a sharecropper. If a 

person rents land to others or has land worked on shares by others, he/she is 

considered the operator only of the land which is retained for his/her own 

operation. For partnerships, only one partner is counted as the operator. If it is not 

clear which partner is in charge, then the senior or oldest active partner is 

considered the operator. For census purposes, the number of operators is the same 

as the number of farms. In some cases, the operator was notthe individual named 

on the address label of the report form, but another family member, a partner, or a 

hired manager who was actually in charge of the farm operation. 

Production expenses, total. In 1987. additional specific expense items and a 

category for all other farm production expenses were added to the selected farm 

production expenses collected in 1982. Consequently, we are publishing total farm 

production expenses in 1987. The expenses are limited to those incurred in the 

operation of the farm business. Expenses include the share of the expenditures 

provided by landlords, contractors, and partners in the operation of the farm 

business. 

Value of crop production. This item represents the estimated value of all crops 

harvested during the 1987 crop year. Data for the value of crops harvested were 

obtained by multiplying the average estimated value per unit by the reported acres 

or quantity harvested. 

12-TEACHER'S GUIDE 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Livestock and poultry purchases. These expenses include the total amount spent 

by the operator, his/her landlord, and others for all livestock and poultry bought 

during 1987 for production on the farm or ranch. The total includes amounts spent 

for cattle, calves, hogs, pigs, sheep, lambs, goats, horses, chicks, poults, started 

pullets, hatchery eggs, etc. For livestock or poultry grown under contract or fed on 

a custom basis on this place, it is their value (estimate if necessary) at the time they 

came on this place. 

Commercial fertilizer. The expense for commercial fertilizer is the amount spent 

on fertilizer during 1987 including the cost of custom application. The cost of 

custom application was excluded from the 1982 and 1978 data. 

Agricultural chemicals. These expenses include the cost of all insecticides, 

herbicides, fungicides, and other pesticides, including costs of custom application. 

Data exclude commercial fertilizer purchased. The cost of custom application was 

excluded from the 1982 and 1978 data. The cost of lime was excluded from the 

1987 and 1982 data, but included in 1978. 

Customwork, machine hire, and rental of machinery and equipment. These 

expenses include costs incurred for having customwork done on the place and for 

renting machines to perform agricultural operations. 

Title 13 - Authority to Conduct Census - Section 142 

(a) The Secretary shall in 1979, in 1983, and in every 5th year beginning after 

1983, take a census of agriculture. 

(c) The data collected in each of the censuses taken under this section shall relate 

to the year immediately preceding the year in which such census is taken. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE TEACHER'S GUIDE-13 
Description of Reports 

(Available from the 1987 Census of Agriculture) 

Advance Reports 

These reports highlight basic agricultural statistics for each county with 10 fanns 

or more, each State, and the United States. They also include data on number of 

farms, land in fanns, fann size, land use practices, fann operator characteristics, 

sales, expenditures, machinery and equipment, livestock, poultry, dairy, and major 

crops harvested. 

Volume 1-Geographic Area Series 

United States, State, and County Data and Outlying Area Data 

These reports provide detailed data in National and State tables for the United 

States and in county and State tables for each State and selected data for Puerto 

Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands. 

They also include data on number of fanns, land in fanns, land use, irrigation, 

crops, livestock, poultry, value of fann products sold, fanns classified by specified 

characteristics, expenses, and operator characteristics. 

Also shown are selected 1987 summary State data cross-tabulated by various fann 

classifications, such as size of fann, tenure of operator, type of organization, 

market value of agricultural products sold, age and principal occupation of 

operator, and standard industrial classification. 

Comparable 1982 and 1978 data are included for many tables. 

Volume 2 - Subject Series 

Part 1 - Agricultural Atlas of the United States 

This report graphically illustrates the Nation's agriculture by dot and multicolor 

patterns maps. The maps provide displays on major topics from the 1987 Census 

of Agriculture including number of fanns, value of land and buildings, fann size, 

farms by value of sales, tenure and characteristics of fann operators, principal 

occupation of operator, and fanns by type of organization. 

14-TEACHER'S GUIDE 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
In addition, the report covers land in fanns and land use, irrigation, market value of 

agricultural products sold, fann-related income, fann production expenses, 

machinery and equipment, agricultural chemicals, livestock and poultry inventory 

and sales, crops harvested including vegetables and fruit, and nursery and 

greenhouse crops. 

Part 2 - Coverage Evaluation 

This report provides estimates of coverage of the 1987 Census of Agriculture from 

an independent enumeration of the four census regions, and selected States or 

groups of States. Estimates (with their sample reliability) are made of fanns not 

included in the census, fanns classified as nonfanns, duplicate fanns, and 

nonfanns classified as fanns. Selected characteristics of these fanns such as total 

market value of agricultural products sold, land operated, and type of operation are 

included. 

Part 3 - Ranking of States and Counties 

This report shows the 20 leading States and 100 leading counties ranked for 

selected items from the 1987 Census of Agriculture. Ranking items include the 

number of fanns, market value of agricultural products sold, inventory of livestock 

and poultry, and production and acres of major crops. Tables include the 

cumulative percent of the U.S. total for ranked items. 

Part 4 - History 

This report provides a detailed description of the planning and conduct of the 

1987 Census of Agriculture. It explains the history of the agriculture census, fann 

definition, data collection and processing, dissemination of census data, coverage 

evaluation and research, and the census of agriculture in outlying areas. It also 

provides copies of the questionnaires, fonns, and letters sent to the public. 

Part 5 - Government Payments and Market Value of Agricultural Products 

Sold 

This report shows detailed data for fanns cross-tabulated by combmed market 

value of agricultural products sold and government payments received. It also 

includes detailed national and selected State data. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE TEACHER'S GUIDE-15 
Part 6 - ZIP Code Tabulations of Selected Items From the 1987 Census of 

Agriculture 

This report provides tabulations by ZIP Code of selected items from the 1987 

Census of Agriculture. Data items include number of farms, land in farms, land i 

farms by size, market value of agricultural products sold, and value of agricultura~ 

products sold by size. 

Volume 3 - Related Surveys 

Part 1 - 1988 Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey 

This report contains detailed tabulations about irrigation on the Nation's farms and 

ranches in 1988. It provides data for each of the major irrigation States and water 

resources areas defmed by use of county boundaries. Subjects include estimated 

quantity of irrigation water used by crop, source of water, method of water 

distribution, and information on wells and pumps used in irrigation. Expenses for 

maintenance and repair, purchase of water, and energy costs for pumping water 

also are included. 

Part 2 -1988 Agricultural Economics and Land Ownership Survey 

This report presents selected data at U.S., regional, and State levels on acreage, 

land ownership, capital purchases and expenses, and assets and debts for farm 

operators and landlords. It includes information on market value of agricultural 

products sold, income and expenses from farm-related sources, production 

contracts, and off-farm work and income for the farm operators. The report also 

provides data on real estate taxes, type of ownership, and characteristics and 

occupation of farm landlords. 

Volume 4 - 1988 Census of Horticultural Specialties 

This report contains data for the U.S., each State, and selected counties on potted 

flowering plants; bedding/garden plant~; cut flowers; cut cultivated florist greens, 

nursery plants, and foliage plants; unfinished plant materials; sod; dried bulbs, 

corms, tubers, and rhizomes used for forcing; cultivated mushrooms; greenhouse 

produced vegetables; vegetables produced for truck-crop production; vegetable 

seeds; flower seeds; number of plants sold; retail and wholesale value of products 

sold; and greenhouse use by commodity group. Selected production expenses and 

horticultural labor data are also presented. 

16-TEACHER'S GUIDE 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Lesson 1 _____ _ 

Introduction 

to 

Agriculture 

and the 

Agriculture Census 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS 

Introduction to Agriculture 

and the Agriculture Census 

This is the first of a series of four lessons describing agriculture in the United 

States. Broadly defmed, agriculture is that part of the national economy that 

produces and supplies the population with food and with much of its textiles. It is 

often referred to as the food and fiber sector. It is one of the largest parts of our 

economy. 

Agriculture affects our lives in many ways. The food and fiber sector comprises 

about 17 percent of our Nation's Gross National Product (GNP). About 25 percent 

of our total population live in rural communities, however only 2 percent of our 

total population live on farms. The U.S. has been a major exporter of agricultural 

commodities so the sector helps offset our trade deficit with foreign countries. 

Because U.S. agriculture is so efficient, it is a low cost source of food for many 

foreign countries. Because U.S. agriculture has such a significant role in 

international trade, it is a major part of trade agreements. This is of substantial 

interest to the Congress and the Nation. At times, U.S. farmers have a difficult 

year or even a number of difficult years. Their difficulties can be caused by a 

number of reasons, such as weather or unusual competition from overseas 

producers caused by changes in foreign agricultural conditions. 

It is generally accepted in the U.S. by the Administration, the Congress, and the 

community at large, that for reasons including national security, the nation must 

preserve its agricultural sector. Because of all the ways in which agriculture 

influences our lives and the economy, it is important to have an understanding of 

agriculture. This lesson is intended to help the student with this understanding. 

Three Agriculture Sectors 

Agriculture consists of many different activities. In the course of these four 

lessons, many of these activities will be discussed. 

We separate agriculture into three main sectors, namely: 

• The provision of inputs to farming 

• Farming 

• Food and fiber processing, distribution, and supply 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 1-3 
GNP 

In 1988, the Nation's annual GNP was $4.8643 trillion! ($4,864,300,000,000). 

The GNP can be considered to be the value of all production within the country. 

The total food and fiber sector, broadly defined, accounts for approximately 17.5% 

of the GNp2. Farming is less than 2% of the GNP. Inputs are less than 1 % of the 

GNP. Consequently, the processing, distribution, and supply sector is almost 16% 

of the GNP. Stated another way, approximately one dollar in six spent in this 

country is spent in the food and fiber sector. 

What is a Census? 

Most of the data provided in these lessons were obtained from censuses of 

agriculture which are performed every 5 years by the U.S. Department of 

Commerce, Bureau of the Census. 

A census is a complete enumeration and tabulation of information of every 

individual or things of like nature in a population. The word census is a Latin 

word, and it is known that the Romans used censuses to determine the amount of 

taxes that were due. The first known census was conducted even earlier in Egypt 

in 3340 B.C. probably for reasons similar to those that exist today. 

Every decade since 1790, a national census has been held, in which an attempt is 

made to identify and count every resident and every residence in the United States. 

The opportunity is used to determine a multitude of characteristics about 

individuals, households, and changing demographics within the country. The 

national census is not merely of intellectual interest. It is used in many practical 

ways; for example, the national census is used as the basis for redefinition of 

Congressional boundaries and for distribution of funds for several Federal 

entitlement programs. 

4-LESSON I 

1 Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce, (1989) 

2 Food Cost Review, U.S. Department of Agriculture, (1989) 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
What is the Census of Agriculture? 

The census of agriculture is a measurement of all of the Nation's agricultural 

producers. It is conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, in close cooperation 

with the Nation's agricultural statistical user groups and farmer organizations. The 

legal authority for the census is Title 13 of the U.S. Code, which specifies the 

frequency and conditions under which the census is to be conducted. 

The first census of agriculture was taken in 1840. Between 1840 and 1950 it was 

part of the decennial census. Agriculture became progressively more important in 

the overall economy and, starting in 1925, additional agriculture censuses were 

held halfway through each decade. Thus, the pattern of taking a census of 

agriculture every 5 years became established. 

The census of agriculture is conducted in years ending with 2 and 7. It is 

conducted in the same years as the nation's other economic censuses 

(manufacturing, mining, construction, retail and wholesale trade, service industries, 

and transportation) to assure maximum compatibility. There is substantial value in 

having these censuses coordinated so that comparisons can be made across sectors. 

In addition, agriculture accepts the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of 

Commerce (1989) and Food Cost Review, U.S. Department of Agriculture (1989) 

outputs of sectors covered in the economic surveys, and in turn, agriculture's 

outputs become the inputs for the food and fiber parts of manufacturing and 

distribution. 

Who Uses the Data? 

• Farm organizations use the data to formulate future farm programs and 

policies which affect farmers and ranchers. 

• State and local governments use the data to analyze and develop policies 

on land use, water use and irrigation, rural development, and farmland 

assessment. 

• Congress and State legislators use the census data to evaluate potential 

farm legislation. 

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture uses the data to prepare estimates 

of farm income and cost of production, to plan for operations during 

drought and emergency outbreaks of diseases or infestations of pests, 

and to evaluate legislation and agricultural programs. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 1-5 
e Rural electric companies use the data to forecast future energy needs for 

farms, ranches, and their communities. 

• Agribusinesses use the data to develop sales territories and to determine 

the most effective locations for retail outlets to better serve farmers and 

ranchers. 

Difference Between a Census and a Survey 

Censuses are taken at fairly lengthy intervals and are an attempt to collect data 

from all members of the selected population. In order to maintain an 

understanding of trends between censuses, it is necessary to conduct sample 

surveys. Census of agriculture information is detailed, disaggregated to the 

individual county level (of which there are approximately 3,100 in the U.S.). A 

survey is a data collection activity involving observations or reports for a sample of 

a population. Surveys can be conducted, analyzed, and published rapidly, 

frequently, and inexpensively using small statistical samples of the population. 

Most people are familiar with the national polls that are conducted before elections 

which typically use samples of 1,000 to 1,500 people. One drawback to a survey is 

that it does not have the accuracy of a census. A second is that surveys generally 

do not provide detail below the national or State level, so censuses and surveys are 

both needed. The census becomes a benchmark against which the results of 

surveys can be adjusted, and surveys provide more frequent information than 

censuses. 

Again for the agricultural sector, the census is conducted every 5 years by the 

Bureau of the Census which is part of the Department of Commerce. More 

frequent surveys of this sector are conducted by the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture (USDA), the Bureau of the Census, and other agencies. 

Definition 

The most recent agriculture census refers to activities in 1987. For the purposes of 

the census, a farm is any place from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products 

were sold or normally would have been sold during the census year. This has been 

the definition used since 1974 and it is also the definition that USDA uses in its 

surveys. 

6-LESSON I 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Types of Data 

The agriculture census is the only source of unifonn agricultural data at the county 

level. The principal categories of data collected are: 

• acreage 

• crops 

• livestock and poultry 

• animal specialties 

• participation in govetnment programs 

• fann related income 

• nursery and greenhouse crops 

• value of sales 

• land use 

• irrigation 

• type of organization 

• operator characteristics 

• use of fertilizer and chemicals 

• production expenses 

• machinery and equipment 

• market value of land and buildings 

Conducting the Census 

The current technique used for conducting the census is to mail out a carefully 

planned and designed questionnaire to all addresses that may be fanns. All 

recipients are required by law to respond to the best of their ability: 

For the 1987 census, fanns and ranches were required to respond, beginning on 

January 1, 1988. The Census Bureau contacts farms by letter and telephone to 

obtain reports for all fanns to insure all returns are complete and accurate. 

A considerable amount of effort is made to evaluate and improve the accuracy of 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 1-7 
responses. The Census Bureau checks each response for reasonableness. This is 

done automatically as the data is entered into computers. The computer looks at 

each entry and expects to find responses within a certain rdllge. For example, the 

Census Bureau does not expect to find significant production of oranges from 

farms in Iowa. 

Title 13 requires the Census Bureau to keep reported information confidential. It 

cannot publish data that could be used to identify a specific farm. There are 

situations where a limited number of operations of a specific type in a county or 

State would permit the inference of the data pertaining to a single farm. In order to 

preserve confidentiality, that information is not published. 

All data is published on a county-by-county basis and also summarized for each 

State and for the United States. For the 1987 census, the Census Bureau started 

publishing State-level data in August 1988 and completed it in 1989. 

The tables and figures attached to this first lesson are taken from the advance 

report on the United States for the 1987 Census of Agriculture. It is important to 

note that similar information can be obtained even for individual counties. Much 

of this information will be discussed further in the following lessons. 

Topics for Class Discussion 

(1) Identify and discuss other agricultural information that would be interesting 

and useful to collect. Give reasons and suggest potential benefits of collecting 

this information. 

(2) Why do you consider an agricultural census important? 

(3) How would you conduct a census in your community? Are such censuses 

worthwhile? Would a sample survey be more useful? 

a-LESSON I 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Test for Lesson I 

(1) Agriculture is: 

(a) Ocean fishing 

(b) Quarrying of rock 

(c) Farming and ranching and associated activities 

(2) A census is: 

(a) A complete numeration and tabulation of information of a sample of 

individuals or things in a population 

(b) A sample of the American population 

(c) A complete enumeration and tabulation of iiIformation of every individual or 

thing in a population 

(3) How often do we conduct an agricultural census? 

(a) Every year 

(b) Every 5 years 

(c) Every decade 

(4) The most current population and housing census is the: 

(a) 1990 census 

(b) 1987 census 

(c) 1980 census 

(5) The agriculture census is an enumeration to identify and include: 

(a) Everyone nationwide 

(b) All agricultural operations 

(c) A sample of farm operators 

(6) For the purposes of the census, a place qualifies as an agricultural operation: 

(a) If in the year of the census, this place had sales of agricultural products of 

$1,000 or more or would normally have had such sales 

(b) If in the year of the census, this place had sales of agricultural products of 

$250 or more or would normally have had such sales 

(c) If it serves or processes food 

, 987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 1-9 
(7) Agriculture censuses are now conducted for years ending with 2 and 7. These 

years were chosen so that the agricultural census would coincide with: 

(a) Congressional elections 

(b) Local elections 

(c) Censuses of other economic sectors which are conducted in these years 

(8) The first U.S. agriculture census was held in the same year as: 

(a) The first postage stamp (1840) 

(b) The establishment of Land-Grant Universities (1862) 

(c) The establishment of the Cooperative Extension Service (1914) 

(9) A survey is: 

(a) A data collection activity involving observation or reports for a sample of a 

population 

(b) A benchmark report with high accuracy 

(c) A data collection activity that is expensive and an enumeration of all things 

in a population 

(10) The census of agriculture provides information down to: 

(a) The county level (about 3,100 nationwide) 

(b) The State level 

(c) The individual field (several tens of millions nationwide) 

(11) The census computer is programmed to test that reports received from 

respondents are reasonable. Consequently, it would question or flag 

10-LESSON I 

a report with information on: 

(a) Pineapple production in Alaska 

(b) Wheat production in Kansas 

(c) Catfish production in Mississippi 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Samples 

of 

Census 

Data 

Teachers: Detach and duplicate the following charts and graphs for use by students. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 1-11 

" 
1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 

ADVANCE REPORT 

UNITED STATES 

This report presents advance statistics from the 1987 

Census of Agriculture. Advance reports are being 

published separately on a flow basis for each county 

with 10 farms or more, each State, and the United 

States. This series provides information on major data 

items together with comparable data from the 1982 

census. The data items presented are the same for all 

States and counties, except selected crops harvested, 

which vary by State. 

Inventories of livestock, poultry, and other specified 

items are as of December 31 of the census year. 

Production and sales data for crops and livestock are 

for the calendar year, except a few crops (such as 

citrus) for which the production year overlaps the 

calendar year. 

Data for farms, acreages, and inventories for 1987 

and 1982 are comparable. Dollar values have not Jeen 

adjusted for changes in price levels between census 

years. 

The Volume 1, Geographic Area Series, includes 

results for all data items collected in the census. The 

volume 1 appendixes provide a detailed description of 

how the census was taken, pertinent definitions and 

explanations, and measures of the reliability of the data. 

Definition of farm-Since the 1974 census, a farm has 

been defined as any place from which $1,000 or more 

of agricultural products were produced and sold or 

normally would have been sold, during the census year. 

12-LESSON I 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS 

AC87 -A-OO-OOO(A) 

Issued May 1989 

Reliability-The census of agriculture enumerates all 

identified farm and ranch operations in the United 

States. Sampling is used to collect data for selected 

items and to account for nonresponding farm 

operations. Thus, the results in this report are subject 

to sampling variability as well as reporting and coverage 

errors. 

Acknowledgments - Special tribute is paid to the 

millions of farm and ranch operators and other 

agriculture-associated people who furnished the individual reports from which these statistical summaries 

were compiled. Also acknowledged are the contributions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and 

other public and private agencies that gave their support 

to the census program. 

Symbols-The following symbols are used throughout 

the tables: 

(D) 

(X) 

(Z) 

(NA) 

Represents zero. 

Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual 

farms. 

Not applicable. 

Less than half the unit shown. 

Not available. 

If you have any questions concerning the statistics in 

this report, please call Agriculture Division, Bureau of 

the Census (301) 763-1113. 

For sale by Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 

Washington, DC 20402. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Farms, Land in Farms, and Selected Items: 1987 and 1982 

Item 

Farms _________ ______ _______________________________________________________ number __ 

Land In farms _________________________________________________________ ._. _____ aeras __ Average size of farm _____________________________________________ • _________ acres __ 

Value of land and buildings:' 

~~:;:g: r.; ~~: ========================================================= ~~:::;:== Estimated market value of all machinery and equipment:' Average per farm _________________________________________________________ dollars __ 

Farms by size: 1 to 9 acres _____________________________________________________________ . _________ . 10 to 49 acres _____________________________________________________________________ _ 

50 to 179 acres ___________________________________________________________________ _ 

180 to 499 acres __________________________________________________________________ _ 

500 to 999 acres __________________________________________________________________ _ 

1,000 acres or more _______________________ . _______________________________________ . 

Total cropland _________________________________________________________________ farms __ 

aeres._ Harvested cropland __________________________________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ Irrigated land __________________________________________________________________ farms __ 

acres._ 

Market value of agricultural products sold _______________________________________ $1,000 __ 

Average per farm _________________________________________________________ dollars __ 

Crops, Including nursery and greenhouse crops ________________________________ $1,000 __ Uvestock, poultry, and their products _________________________________________ 51,000 __ 

Farms by value of sales: 1 Less than $2,500 __________________________________________________________________ _ $2,500 to $4,999 __________________________________________________________________ _ 

$5,000 to $9,999 __________________________________________________________________ _ 

$10,000 to $24,999 ________________________________________________________________ _ 

$25,000 to $49,999 ________________________________________________________________ _ $50,000 to $99,999 ________________________________________________________________ _ 

$100,000 or more __________________________________________________________________ _ 

Operators by prtncipal occupation: Farmlng ___________________________________________________________________________ _ Other _____________________________________________________________________________ _ 

Operators by days worked of! farm: Any ______________________________________________________________________________ _ 

200 days or more ________________________________________________________________ _ 

~~:~r~g~r.;::u~'Z,'~~,:penses2-===============================================$r~== Average per farm _________________________________________________________ dollars __ 

Selected farm production expenses:' Livestock and poultry purchased _____________________________________________ $1,000 __ Feed for livestock and poultry ________________________________________________ 51 ,000 __ 

Interest expense> ___________________________________________________________ $. ,000 __ Petroleum products _________________________________________________________ $1 ,000 __ 

livestock and poultry: Cattle and eelves Inventory ___________________________________________________ fanms __ 

number __ Beef cows ___ : ____________________________________________________________ farms __ 

numbeL_ Milk cows _________________________________________________________________ farms __ 

numbeL_ Cattle and eelves sold ________________________________________________________ fanms __ 

number __ 

Hogs and pigs Inventory ______________________________________________________ farms __ 

number __ Hogs and pigs sold __________________________________________________________ farms __ 

number __ Sheep and lambs Inventory ___________________________________________________ farms __ 

number __ Chickens 3 months old or older inventory ______________________________________ farms __ 

number __ Broilers and other meat-type chickens sold _____________________________________ Iarms __ 

number __ 

Selected crops harvested: Com for grain or seed ________________________________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ bushels __ Sorghum for grain or seed ____________________________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ bushels __ Wheat for grain ______________________________________________________________ Iarms __ 

acres __ 

bushels __ 

Cotton ______________________________________________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ bales __ Soybeans for beans __________________________________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ bushels __ Hay-alfalfa, other tame, small grain, wild, grass silage, green chop, etc. __________ farms __ 

aeres __ tons, dry __ 

Vegetables harvested for sale _________________________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ Land In orchards _____________________________________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ Nursery and greenhouse crops ------------____________________________________ farms._ 

tData for 1982 exclude abnormallarms. 

'Data are based on a sample of farms. 

'Data for t 982 do not Include imputation lor item nonresponse. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 

sales, $1,000 __ 

All farms 

1987 

2 087 759 984 470 625 

462 

289 387 

627 

41 227 

183257 

412 437 

844 849 

478294 

200 056 168 884 

1 848 574 

443 318 233 

1 843633 

282223880 291 628 

46386 201 

136046516 

65165 58 931 085 

77 117431 

490 296 

262 918 274972 

326 166 

219636 

218050 

295 721 

138 179 

949580 

115560 

737206 

52.0 108 138 053 

51 797 

19 344 845 19 163 384 

8 158 268 

5 277 227 

1 176 346 

95847299 

841 778 31 652593 

202068 10 084 697 

t 150 523 72 603 841 

243 398 

52 271 120 

238819 96 569 359 

92489 11 059397 

144438 

373 577 196 

27645 4361 975630 

627602 58701 505 

6725001 837 

89642 

9 760 574 633 174 972 

352 237 53 224 174 

1 887 103 984 

43 046 9826081 

13 280 143 

441 899 

55 291 205 838 053 979 

994 551 

57 967 530 128816054 

60819 3467 563 

120 434 

4 560 163 

37298 5 774 391 

1982 

2 240 976 

986 796 579 

440 

345 869 

784 

41 919 

187665 

449 252 

711 652 

526 510 203 925 

161 972 

2010609 

445362028 

1 809 756 

326306 462 278277 

49002433 

131 900 223 

56 858 

62256 087 

69844 136 

536327 

278208 

281 802 

340254 

248828 

251 501 

302380 

1 234 787 

1 006 189 

187374 

774844 

50.5 

(NA) 

(NA) 

17 174 334 

18 591 984 11 668 942 

7 688 052 

1 354 992 

104 475827 

957 698 34 202 607 

277 762 

10849890 

1 278609 

71 216 727 

329833 55366 205 

315 095 

94783 598 101 562 

12436 011 

215812 362484 997 

30100 3 516 622 889 

715 171 

69857993 

7508 721 4113 

93696 12 678 843 725959 104 

446075 70910293 

2373246659 

38266 

9781 404 11 375524 

511 229 

84 832 842 989993 156 

1 050 992 

56 743 836 128 474 661 

69109 

3 330 637 123663 

4 750 667 

35507 3821 196 

Farms with sales of $10,000 or more 

1987 1982' 

1 059 573 1 142983 

829 021 612 811 280 541 

782 710 

455 522 557 636 

583 785 

67755 69633 

44 842 40 552 

73465 76209 

244 068 287 233 

356450 401 201 181 018 184 843 159 930 152 925 

990 696 1 083 508 

393245402 396 146 576 

950974 1 051 417 

263 656 877 306 242 220 195 956 163 412 44 528 259 46660434 

132644 656 128023 777 

125 187 112010 

57 583 620 60 842 654 

75061 036 67 381 124 

326 166 340 254 219636 246 828 218 050 251 501 295 721 302 360 

811 303 901 373 246 270 241 590 

422984 430 919 218941 212 942 50.6 49.1 102949351 (NA) 

97298 (NA) 

18917 000 16 598 865 18 650 075 17 894 560 

7462028 10 947 898 4822678 7 384 006 

604 650 675509 84 103 391 89 103 524 378254 416 077 25469686 26 610 708 168068 212168 9977 455 10633 947 618274 678 726 67359378 84 946 730 

172 903 219088 50 989 702 53442 310 177 586 224 940 94 669 837 92 055 157 44 944 49994 9646324 10 369 830 53 006 77 430 370923398 357428 146 23 382 24 114 4361 037533 3 512 326 522 

467801 546 581 56 701 959 67603094 6 570 214 669 7 341 316 392 74790 80402 9355929 12 266 450 613452427 710 350 908 290 499 367 277 51 065 276 68 478 845 1 631 284 430 2314386 844 

38371 33185 9731 859 9607 799 13 214 862 11 259686 360626 410441 53 318 294 62275679 790 124 759 1 931 390 306 549943 593 535 47 466 354 46 420 100 112 416 337 111 686 617 

39884 40051 3 385 892 3 202 559 54168 51 437 4 054 131 4 146 243 24726 21 147 5 729 146 3 773 054 

LESSON 1-13 
Figure 1. 

Number of Farms: 1987 

Bureau of the Census 

1987 Census of Agriculture 

Figure 2. 

Number of Farms Percent Change: 1982 to 1987 

Percent change may not be statistically significant 

Bureau of the Census 

1987 Census of Agriculture 

14-LESSON I 

Number of farms 

D Less than 10,000 

1<110,000 to 29,999 

11130,000 to 49,999 

1:><><150,000 to 79,999 

l1li 80,000 to 99,999 

_ 100,000 or more 

Percent 

D -10.0 or less 

Iii -9.9 to -5.0 

k":",":>"1-4.9 to -0.1 

IIIIOt04.9 

_ 5.0 or more 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Figure 3. 

Land In Farms: 1987 

Bureau of the Census 

1987 Census of Agriculture 

Figure 4. 

Land In Farms Percent Change: 1982 to 1987 

Percent change may not be statistically significant 

Bureau of the Census 

1987 Census of Agriculture 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 

Thousand acres 

D Less than 1,000 

D 1,000 to 9,999 

la!!!110,OOO to 19,999 

t>",<J 20,000 to 29,999 

III 30,000 to 39,999 

_ 40,000 or more 

Percent 

D -12.0 or less 

Irrl-11.9to-10.0 

f<>":><1-9.9 to -5.0 

.• -4.9 to -0.1 

_ 0 or more 

LESSON 1-15 
Figure 5. 

Value of Agricultural Products Sold: 1987 

Bureau of the Census 

1987 Census of Agriculture 

Figure 6. 

Farms With Sales of $100,000 or More: 1987 

Bureau of the Census 

1987 Census of Agriculture 

16-LESSON I 

Million dollars 

o Less than 500 

11500 to 999 

Imm:11,ooo to 1,999 

t><><:j2,OOO to 2,999 

_ 3,000 to 4,999 

_ 5,000 or more 

Number of farms 

II Less than 1,000 

ltd 1,000 to 4,999 

f·:><i'J 5,000 to 9,999 

_ 10,000 to 14,999 

_ 15,000 or more 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Figure 7. 

Cropland Harvested: 1987 

Bureau of the Census 

1987 Census of Agriculture 

Figure 8. 

Farms With Less Than 50 Acres: 1987 

Bureau of the Census 

1987 Census of Agriculture 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 

Thousand acres 

o Less than 500 

0500 to 999 

W!q 1,000 to 4,999 

[/<;;15,000 to 9,999 

_ 10,000 to 14,999 

_ 15,000 or more 

Number of farms 

o Less than 1,000 

o 1,000 to 4,999 

Irls,ooo to 9,999 

g,<,,<110,000 to 19,999 

III 20,000 to 29,999 

_ 30,000 or more 

LESSON 1-17 
Figure 9. 

Farms With More Than 500 Acres: 1987 

Bureau of the Census 

1987 Census of Agriculture 

Figure 10. 

Number of Farms 

Census 

year 

1954 

1959 

1964 

1969 

1974 

1978 

1982 

1987 

Bureau of the Census 

1987 Census of Agriculture 

18-LESSON I 

Farms 

Number of farms 

II Less than 1,000 

Itt? 1'1 ,000 to 4,999 

(>':><>l5,000 to 9,999 

_ 10,000 to 19,999 

_ 20,000 or more 

4,782.416 

1 987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Figure 11. 

Farms by Size: 1987 

Acres 

1to9 

10 to 49 

50 to 179 644.849 

180 to 499 

500 to 999 

1,000 or more 

Farms 

Bureau of the Census 

1987 Census of Agriculture 

Figure 12. 

Farms by Value of Sales: 1987 

Dollars 

Less than $2,500 490.296 

$2,500 to $4,999 

$5,000 to $9,999 

$10,000 to $24,999 

$25,000 to $49,999 

$50,000 to $99,999 

$100,000 or more 

Bureau of the Census 

Farms 

1987 Census of Agriculture 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 1-19 
Figure 13. 

Market Value of Agricultural Products Sold 

Census 

year 

1978 

1982 

1987 

==="" 

Bureau of the Census 

1987 Census of Agriculture 

Figure 14. 

EEl Livestock, poultry, and 

their prodJcts 

Dollars (billions) 

l1li Crops, including nursery 

and greenhouse 

Percent of Principal Occupation of Farm Operators 

Farming. 

Census 

year 

1978 

1982 

1987 

Bureau of the Census 

1987 Census of Agriculture 

20-LESSON I 

Other 

Percent of farm operators 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Lesson 11 

_____ _ 

Production 

Agriculture 

u.s. Department of Commerce 

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS 

Production Agriculture 

This lesson is concerned with production agriculture. Table 1 (p. II-4) shows that 

fann sales in 1987 were slightly more than $136 billion; a 3.2% increase from the 

1982 census. It can be seen that agricultural sales are divided between crops and 

livestock. 

The cash crop with the highest total market value in the U.S. is com. This corn is 

not the sweet com that is eaten during the summer. Feed corn is produced 

primarily for animal feed, both for domestic livestock and for export. Corn is a 

major carbohydrate in the diet of agricultural livestock. Com is also used to make 

com oil which is used in cooking; high fructose com syrup (HFCS) which is a low 

calorie sweetener used by many food and beverage manufacturers as a substitute 

for sugar; and for making alcohol, not only as a beverage, but increasingly as a 

substitute for petroleum. 

Figure 1 (p. II-I0) shows com is grown primarily in the midwest which includes 

Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and parts of several other States. The figure 

also shows that com is grown in other parts of the United States. 

The crop with the second highest total market value is soybeans. It is a legume 

which when crushed produces a vegetable oil and leaves soybean meal. The oil is 

used extensively for food production and is a healthy, low cholesterol liquid. The 

oil is used in making margarine and salad dressing, for cooking food, and for many 

other purposes in food preparation. Look at the labels on food packages and you 

will frequently see soybean oil listed as an ingredient. The meal is used to provide 

protein for the animal diet and is widely used both domestically and for export. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 11-3 
Table 1. 1987 and 1982 Agriculture Sales 

1987 1982 

Sales Percentages Sales Percentages Commodity ($billions) of total sales ($billions) of total sales 

Com 10.7 7.8 13.5 10.2 

Wheat 4.8 3.5 7.8 5.9 

Soybeans 9.1 6.7 10.4 7.9 

Sorghum 0.9 0.7 1.4 1.1 

Oats 0.2 0.2 3.0 2.3 

Other grains 2.5 1.9 3.0 2.3 

Cotton and 

cottonseed 4.2 3.0 3.2 2.4 

Tobacco 1.7 1.3 2.8 2.1 

Hay, silage, etc. 2.6 1.9 2.3 1.7 

Vegetables, sweet 

com, and melons 4.7 3.5 4.1 3.1 

Fruits, nuts, 

and berries 7.1 5.2 5.8 4.4 

Nursery and 

greerihouse 

crops 5.8 4.2 3.8 2.9 

Other crops 4.5 3.3 3.7 2.8 

Poultry and 

poultry products 12.8 9.4 9.8 7.4 

Dairy products 16.0 11.8 16.3 12.4 

Cattle and calves 35.9 26.4 31.6 24.0 

Sheep, lambs, 

and wool 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.4 

Hogs and pigs 9.9 7.3 9.9 7.5 

Other livestock 1.8 1:3 1.4 1.1 

TOTAL 136.0 100.0 131.9 101.9 

4-LESSON II 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Soybeans (see figure 2, p. II-IO) are produced in much of the same areas that 

produce com, but additionally one can see large concentrations of soybean 

production along the middle and lower Mississippi Valley States (Missouri, 

Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, western Tennessee, and western Kentucky), 

Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. 

Few farmers plant only one type of crop or raise only one type of livestock. Many 

farmers, particularly smaller ones, like to diversify their production so that if one 

crop does poorly, they will have other crops which may do better. Frequently a 

farmer will grow both com and soybeans and use his own production of these 

crops to feed his livestock. 

The third most valuable cash grain crop is wheat. Wheat is grown primarily for 

domestic and foreign human consumption. Some low-grade wheat is used as 

animal feed. Figure 3 (p. II-II) shows a new pattern. Here the important States 

are Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado east of the Rockies. In addition, there is 

substantial production in Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, and in the other 

northwestern States of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Some wheat is also grown 

in California; a major agricultural State with great diversity in its production. The 

geographic areas of production of other small grains, such as oats, barley, and rye, 

are similar to those of wheat. 

Figure 4 (p. II-ll) shows where cotton is grown. Historically, the lower 

Mississippi Valley (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, western Tennessee, and 

southeast Missouri) and Alabama are associated with cotton production. However, 

western Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California also produce large quantities. 

Much of this production is through the use of irrigation and leads to some of the 

world's finest cotton. 

Other crops have different geographic areas of production. Silage is produced in 

the western States, where land may not be as suitable for other more profitable 

crops, but more extensively in Wisconsin, California, Michigan, New York, 

Minnesota, and Pennsylvania where it is used for feed. 

Sugar is produced from two crops grown in the United States. These crops are 

sugar beets and sugarcane. Sugar beets are grown primarily in Minnesota, 

California, Idaho, North Dakota, and Michigan. Sugarcane for sugar is produced 

in Florida, Louisiana, Hawaii, and Texas. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 11-5 
Vegetable and Fruit Production 

Demands for many grains and some other crops have declined in recent years and 

production of these crops has become less profitable. Two areas where both 

demand and profitability are growing are in the production of fruits and vegetables. 

The American consumer seems to have an increasing demand for fresh produce. 

The geographic picture for vegetable production (figure 5, p. 11-12) is quite 

different than that for grains or cotton. California, Florida, Texas, Washington, 

Oregon, the northeastern States of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, 

and the midwestern States of Michigan, lllinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are 

major vegetable production areas. 

Orchards (figure 6, p. 11-12) present a similar pattern with a great deal of 

concentration in California, Florida, Texas, Washirigton, Oregon, Michigan, New 

York, and Georgia. 

Livestock and Products 

In the U.S., meats eaten are primarily beef, pork, and poultry. For much of our 

history, beef was our preferred meat. In recent years, domestic consumption of 

beef has declined because of consumer concern about the effects of 

over-consumption of beef. Consumption of pork has increased a little, while 

consumption of poultry has increased to take up much of the decline in beef 

consumption. (USDA 1988 Agriculture Statistics) 

Ten years ago beef consumption was almost twice as much, in terms of weight, as 

either pork or poultry. Today, in terms of weight, we consume slightly more 

poultry than beef, and slightly more beef than pork. In terms of value of 

agricultural sales, beef remains the leader. Look at the price of each of these meats 

in your supermarket. 

Figure 7 (p. 11-13) gives an idea where cattle production is predominant. This is 

concentrated west of the Mississippi River. The main exceptions are in Wisconsin 

("America's Dairyland") and in the Northeast. Both of these areas are primarily 

States that have dairy rather than beef cattle. The major beef cattle production 

States are Texas, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Iowa, Montana, 

and Kansas. 

6-LESSON II 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Figure 8 (p. II-13) shows that hog production is concentrated mainly in those same 

States that produce com and soybeans which is used as the feed. 

Chickens (see figure 9, p. II-14) show yet another production pattern with 

significant production in Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, and 

Pennsylvania, as well as much of the rest of the Southeast, including Alabama, 

Georgia, and the Delmarva Peninsula (Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia east of 

the Chesapeake Bay). 

Summary 

In summary, agricultural production is spread widely across the country with 

different regions taking the lead for different types' of production. California leads 

in agricultural sales, producing 10 percent of the total value of agricultural sales or 

about $14 billion. California agriculture is diverse. Texas with its cotton, grains, 

and cattle has the second largest agricultural sales, which in 1987 were $10.5 

billion. Iowa ranked third with sales of almost $9 billion, mostly of corn, 

soybeans, cattle, hogs, and pigs. Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota, 

Wisconsin, Florida, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Arkansas, and 

Colorado ranked 4th through 15th, respectively, among the States in market value 

of agricultural products sold. 

TopiCs for Class Discussion 

(1) Based on the information in the lesson, how is the average American diet 

likely to change in coming years? How does this coincide with preferences of 

those in the class? How will these preferences affect American agriculture? 

(2) What are the benefits of importing and exporting agricultural products? 

(3) Why do you think the major concentration of hogs and pigs is located in 

Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, Minnesota, and bordering States? 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 11-7 
Test for Lesson II 

(1) Which of the following do Americans consume the most in tenns of weight? 

(a) Lamb 

(b) Beef 

(c) Poultry 

(2) Which of the following is used for human consumption? 

(a) Feed corn 

(b) Soybeans 

(c) Hay 

(3) The crop that accounted for the greatest percentage of agricultural sales was: 

(a) Soybeans 

(b) Corn 

(c) Wheat 

(d) Tobacco 

(4) Where is most U.S. cattle production located? Refer to figure 7. 

(a) All States west of the Mississippi River 

(b) New England States (Vennont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, 

Rhode Island, and Connecticut) 

(c) Southwest (Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona) 

(5) In which set of States is cotton produced? Refer to figure 4. 

(a) Arkansas, Texas, New Mexicq, Arizona, California 

(b) Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio 

(c) Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas 

(d) Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina 

8-LESSON II 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
(6) Which State has the smallest hog and pig inventory? Refer to figure 8. 

(a) Iowa 

(b) Nebraska 

(c) illinois 

(d) Texas 

(e) Indiana 

(7) Which two States have the most land in orchards? Refer to figure 6. 

(a) Texas and Louisiana 

(b) California and Florida 

(c) Michigan and Wisconsin 

(d) Maine and Maryland 

(e) Oregon and Washington 

(8) Which State is not considered a major com growing State? 

(a) Iowa 

(b) Nebraska 

(c) Illinois 

(d) Nevada 

(e) Indiana 

(9) Which State has the most acres of vegetables for sales? Refer 

to figure 5. 

(a) Maine 

(b) Minnesota 

(c) Missouri 

(d) Mississippi 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 11-9 
Figure 1. 

Corn Harvested for All Purposes 

Figure 2. 

Soybeans Harvested for Beans 

10-LESSON II 

, Do' = , 0.000 Acr •• 

U.S. Department 01 Commerce 

Bureau 01 the Genius 

, Dot = '0,000 Acrea 

U.S Oepe.r1ment 01 Commerce 

Bureau 01 tho GeniUS 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Figure 3. 

Wheat Harvested for Grain 

Figure 4. 

Cotton Harvested 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 

1 Dot = 10,000 Acres 

1 Dol = 5,000 ACtes 

U S Departmenl 01 Comtnerce 

Bureau ollhe Ce..!l!1n 

LESSON 11-11 
Figure 5. 

Vegetables Harvested for Sale 

,0 

Figure 6. 

Land In Orchards 

,0 (; 

, 

\ 

........ ,. 

12-LESSON • 

1 Dot = 1 ,000 Acres 

U.S. Department 01 Commerce 

Bureau 01 the eenaul 

1 Dot = 1,000 Acres 

U.S. Oep,artmenl 01 Commet'CG 

Bureau--9.l~ Cenaul 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Figure 7. 

Cattle and Calves-Inventory 

,0 I 

~ 

... <"C> 

{) , 

Figure 8. 

Hogs and PIgs-Inventory 

,0 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 

1 Dot = 10,000 cattle and calves 

U S Department of Commerce 

Bureau of !he Cet'tSUs 

1 Dot = 10,000 Hogs and Pigs 

U.S. Department 01 Commerce 

Bureau 01 the Census 

LESSON 11-13 
Figure 9, 

Chickens 3 Months Old or Older -Inventory 

,0 

14-LESSON II 

1 Dot = SO,OOO Chicken. 3 Montha Old or Older 

U S. Department 01 Commerce 

Bures!J ... .Q!....!h~_J~e_n.u. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Lesson 111-

___ _ 

Agribusiness 

u.s. Department of Commerce 

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS 

Agribusiness 

Inputs are those supplies, materials, equipment, or other resources that go into an 

agriculture operation. Outputs are those commodities produced by agricultural 

operations that are used in other parts of the economy. In the case of production 

agriculture, the commodities are used mainly in the preparation of food and fiber. 

This lesson deals first with the inputs side, then outputs. 

Value of Goods Sold 

The census shows that the value of goods sold by the farm sector in 1987 was 

slightly more than $136 billion. Five years earlier, in 1982, sales were $131.9 

billion. Farmers use most of these revenues to pay for inputs that they must use in 

farming. The difference between that which they receive, and that which they pay 

out represents their profit. In the early part of the 1980's, farming was under 

considerable financial stress. Many farmers found that farming was no longer 

profitable. In order to stay in farming until times improved, they had to use their 

savings and borrow money. In many cases, farmer's savings are in the real estate 

value of their land. Although profit is the major reason why an agricultural 

operation may continue or cease to operate, other factors such as retirement, 

economic development, and participation in government programs also playa part. 

As a result of decline in profits, many farmers had to sell their land. Between 1982 

and 1987, the census of agriculture shows that the U.S. lost 6.8% of its farms and 

2.3% of the land in farms. This was a loss of more than 150,000 farms. 

Not all farms and ranches were equally affected; some regions of the country were 

hit harder than others and the decline in profitability was also not uniform over all 

types of farming. For example, parts of farming where the demand remained high 

such as sugar, fruit and vegetables, horticultural items, and poultry, sustained their 

profitability. 

Expenditures 

In order to see agricultural producer's expenditures, look at table 3, p. III-8-10. 

The largest expenditure category was "Livestock and poultry purchased" at $19.3 

billion. Total value of products sold for livestock, poultry, and their products in 

1987 was $77.1 billion. The second highest cost was "Feed for livestock and 

poultry." To feed and raise livestock in 1987, farmers purchased $19.1 billion in 

livestock and pOUltry feed. Livestock producers paid out just under 50% of the 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 111-3 
market value of agricultural sales in these two categories alone, "Livestock and 

poultry purchased" and "Feed for livestock and poultry." It is easy to see that 

when these expenditures are added together producers raising livestock will use the 

majority of the $77.1 billion in sales. 

Those that grow crops also have specialized expenses. Seed, fertilizer, and 

agricultural chemicals (used to combat pests, disease, and weeds) totalled $14.7 

billion. 

While some expenses can be attributed to livestock or crops, other expense 

categories may be attributable to either or both categories. It can be seen that 

hired labor, energy, and interest (both on mortgages for farmland and short-term 

operating loans) are all substantial. 

There are other costs which are not included in this table. One of the largest is the 

purchase of new equipment, buildings, and other supplies not listed here. 

These manufactured inputs are provided by complex distribution chains. 

Manufacturers generally sell their products through wholesalers and dealers who 

are an integral part of the farm community. Therefore, much more of the economy 

is dependent upon farming than just farmers and farm workers. 

Outputs 

Turning now to the output side of agriculture, only a few people buy food directly 

from the farmer. Most food is purchased in stores or in restaurants. It is necessary 

to pay for the complex, yet efficient, chain that moves food from the farm to the 

processing plant, from the processing plant to warehouses and then to stores and 

restaurants. This means that the individual pays more for food than the farmer 

receIves. 

Some information on the food industry comes from the Census Bureau. It 

conducts both the Census of Manufactures every 5 years and an Annual Survey of 

Manufactures, which uses a sampling ,approach. 

Caution must be taken in using these manufacturing surveys because 

establishments are classified according to their main activities. For example, a 

bakery that also made chocolates would be classified as a bakery and the entire 

nature of its activities would be classified as baking, overvaluing the total baking 

category and undervaluing the chocolate manufacturers. In spite of this problem, 

4-LESSON III 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
the manufacturing information does provide an enormous amount of insight. Table 

2 (p. III -11) shows some information on manufacturing, particularly "Food and 

kindred products." It can be seen that in 1985, this sector produced $302 billion 

worth of goods, $67 billion of which were meat products, $41 billion in dairy 

products, $43 billion of beverages, and $34 billion of grain mill products. 

Remember that because of the classification process, these numbers are actually 

less than the total number. 

In addition to the Census information, USDA also publishes sUIVey information on 

the food industry. In 1987, food expenditures by families and individuals (which 

excludes the military, schools, and other institutions) were $369.6 billion. It is 

difficult to compare this number directly with farm sales, because farm sales 

include cotton, tobacco, wool, wood, exports, and institutional purchases. What 

emerges is that about 25% of each dollar spent on food goes back to the farm. If 

we buy food to eat at home, 30% goes to the farm. When one eats in a restaurant, 

16% goes to the farm. Table 4 (p. ill-12) shows where the food dollar goes. 

There is considerable variati'on in what goes back to the farmer by type of 

commodity. Table 5 (p. ill-12) shows the percentages received by the farmer for 

various commodities. It can be seen that the farm value is a higher percentage of 

retail prices for meat, eggs, poultry, and dairy products. This means that when 

prices received by farmers change, the retail prices for these products go up or 

down noticeably. For other products (such as bread), where the farmer only 

receives a small amount of the retail price, if the price of the farm product (e.g., the 

price of wheat) changes, there should be little impact on the retail price. 

One should ask the question: "Where does this additional expenditure go?" Table 

6 (p. ill-13) shows the breakdown. More than a third goes to labor: drivers, 

warehouseworkers, check-out clerks, waiters, and waitresses. One person in 

nine in the United States works somewhere in the food distribution chain. 

Packaging is also a major cost. In 1987 packaging cost about $32 billion. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 111-5 
Topics for Class Discussion 

(1) Enhanced fann productivity comes from increasing prices for the goods sold or 

reducing the costs of production. How are farmers likely to improve 

productivity in the next few years? 

(2) What do consumers obtain for the money paid to the food processing industry? 

(3) Speculate on what percentage of the price of a cotton shirt is received by a 

cotton fanner. Where does the rest of the money go? 

Test for Lesson III 

(1) The early 1980's were: 

(a) A period of booming profits for U.S. agriculture 

(b) The same as the 1970's 

(c) A period of fmancial difficulty for the industry 

(2) Farmers use most of their revenue: 

(a) To buy more land 

(b) To buy antiques and paintings 

(c) To pay for their inputs 

(3) How much did every American pay on the average for food packaging in 1987? 

(a) $13.30 

(b) $133.00 

(c) $1,330.00 

(d) None of the above 

(4) The largest fraction of food costs in the supermarket go for: 

(a) Advertising 

(b) The farmer or agriculture producer 

(c) Distribution and marketing labor 

6-LESSON III 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
(5) How much did agricultural operators pay for livestock and poultry purchased 

and feed for livestock and poultry purchased in 1987? Refer to Table 3, 

Farm Production Expenses: 1987, 1982, and 1978. 

(a) $10.8 billion 

(b) $19.3 billion 

(c) $18.5 billion 

(d) $38.5 billion 

(6) Agricultural operators paid $5,277,227,000 for petroleum products 

in 1987. How much more or less did they pay for petroleum products in 1982? 

(a) $2.61 billion more 

(b) $2.61 billion less 

(c) The same as in 1987 

(d) $2.61 million more 

(e) $2.61 million less 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 111-7 
Table 3. Farm Production Expenses: 1987, 1982, and 1978 

[Data are based on a sample of fanns; 988 \&xl For meaning of abbrevIationa and symboIa, 988 Irrtroduc:tafy text] 

Item 

Total farm production expens&8 __________________________________________ lanna __ 

Average per farm ___________________________________________________ ~=== 

Farms wtth __ 01- $1 to $4,999 ______________________________________________________________ _ $5,000 to $9,999 __________________________________________________________ _ 

$10,000 to $24,999 ________________________________________________________ _ $26,000 to $49,999 ________________________________________________________ _ $50,000 to $99,999 ________________________________________________________ _ 

$100,000 to $249,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $260,000 to $499,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $500,000 or more _________________________________________________________ _ 

l..Iveatock and poultr:y purchased _______________________________________ Ianna __ 

Farms wtth expenses 01-

$1,000 __ peroant 01 total __ 

$1 to $999 ______________________________________________________________ _ $1,000 to $4,999 ________________________________________________________ _ $5,000 to $9,999 ________________________________________________________ _ 

$10,000 to $24,999' ________________________ . ____________________________ _ $25,000 to $49,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $50,000 to $99,999 ______________________________________________________ _ 

$100,000 to $249,999 ____________________________________________________ _ $260,000 or more _______________________________________________________ _ 

Feed lor IlvaetOck and poultr:y _________________________________________ Ianna __ 

$1,000 __ 

. Farms wtth e __ of- percent 01 total __ 

$1 to $999 ______________________________________________________________ _ $1,000 to $4,999 ________________________________________________________ _ $5,000 to $9,999 ________________________________________________________ _ 

$10,000 $26,000 to to $24,999' $49,999 ______________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------_ 

$50,000 to $79,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $80,000 to $99,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $100,000 or more _______________________________________________________ _ 

Commercially mixed lormula 1 ____________________________________ Ianna __ 

Farms wtth expens&8 01-

$1,000 __ percent of total __ 

$1 to $999-----------_________________________________________________ _ $1,000 to $4,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $5,000 to $9,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $10,000 to $24,999' ___________________________________________________ _ 

$25,000 to $49,999 ____________________________________________________ _ $50,000 to $79,999 ____________________________________________________ _ $80,000 or more ______________________________________________________ _ 

~, bulbs, pIanta, and _________________________________________ Ianna __ 

Farms wtth expenses 01-

$1,000 __ 

peroant of total __ 

$1 to $499 ______________________________________________________________ _ 

$500 to $999 ___________________________________________________________ _ $1,000 to $4,999 ________________________________________________________ _ $5,000 to $9,999 ________________________________________________________ _ 

$10,000 to $19,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $20,000 to $24,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $26,000 or more ________________________________________________________ _ 

CommerciailertillzerO _________________________________________________ Ianna __ 

Farms wtth expenses 01-

$1,000 __ 

percent of total __ 

$1 to $499 ______________________________________________________________ _ $500 to $999 ___________________________________________________________ _ $1,000 to $4,999 ________________________________________________________ _ $5,000 to $9,999 ______________________________________________________ ---

$25,000 $10,000 to $24,999' ------------------------------------------------------ to $29,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $30,000 to $49,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $50,000 to $99,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $100,000 or more _______________________________________________________ _ 

AgrIcultural chemical .. ________________________________________________ larms __ 

$1,000 __ 

percent 01 total __ 

Farms wtth expenses 01- $1 to $499 ______________________________________________________________ _ $500 to $999 ___________________________________________________________ _ 

$1,000 to $4,999 ________________________________________________________ _ 

$5,000 to $9,999 ___________________________________ ---------------------- $10,000 to $24,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $25,000 to $49,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $50,000 or more ______________________________________________________ - __ 

Petroleum producta ___________________________________________________ lanns __ 

$1,000 __ 

percent of total __ Farms wtth e __ of- $1 to $999 ______________________________________________________ ---------

$1,000 to $4,999 ________________________________________________ --------- $5,000 to $9,999 ______________________________________________________ ---

$10,000 $26,000 to to $24,999' $39,999 _____ ------------------------------------------------------ • __________ • _______ •• ____________________________ _ 

$40,000 to $49,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $50,000 or more ______________________________________________________ ---

See lootnotes at end of table. 

8-LESSON III 

1987 

Farms 

2087734 

~ 

687 106 369268 

391 195 237 194 205340 

144 921 40183 

22 680 

875677 

~ 198 418 234 920 83 221 80 114 42 406 25837 

13914 

7047 

180 744 

~ 480 04S 391681 

103 444 112328 

53148 

22 OOS 8892 

31421 

644 285 

~ 

210473 

149 128 65716 

61 S08 27813 

12806 

27023 

176932 

~ 431 649 183 135 395771 

102 06S 4S 735 6336 

12241 

1 379441 

~ 347 162 211 152 491 280 168 676 128 394 12732 

21694 

9340 

3011 

1 282680 

~ 477801 

174487 

391 780 113617 

76229 

18102 

8704 

1 964 062 

~ 1 036444 

852225 

170877 

87199 

11 196 2512 

4810 

~ 

108 136 O~ 51 797 

1 703 924 2682019 

6277 647 8496781 

14809021 

22 003 422 13625983 

36 839 276 

19344 3J 

17.9 

85 282 S62 883 572308 

1241434 } 1 475021 

1 749289 } 2064967 

11 593 470 

If} 183:l 17.7 

197239 

844 947 712355 

1 749 S08 } 1 822 955 1 355610 

591981 } 11 689 968 

(X) 11 325096 10.5 

77 070 344 482 368 883 

968 113 } 955468 779049} 7824283 

(X) 3390 762 

3.1 

64 336 12764S 

922 219 689802 

599 124 

136 527 } ~1 309 

6664~ 6.2 

82805 

148 230 1 144 800 1 074464 

1877 268 } 336 340 

794 828 } 804 854 621 948 

(X) 4890 243 

4.3 

87121 

120 241 910043 

771613 

1 139434 } 598 380 1 083 431 

(X) 5277 227 

4.9 

370016 

1 S33 044 1 176064 

1255854 } 340 680 

110448 } 491 121 

1982 

!:l 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

NA 

755431 17 174 334 

(NA) 

289 832 234 S62 78370 

127688 { 

44 759 { 

1 380 243 18591 964 

(NA) 

674987 

417914 

119117 

212243 { 36 102 { 

803602 10415511 (NA) 

209 851 176868 

67996 

106 762 { 40 315 { 

1 287 129 3 171 752 

(NA) 

473827 

194 276 436 868 102620 

41 794 

15954 

1 443 768 7689385 (NA) 

406 306 212380 

482511 

159982 

168 883 { 

45844 { 1 125438 4282213 (NA) 

408 380 153 185 

383 998 

106 958 

92957 

2221 443 7688052 (NA) 

1 129293 

868 686 241671 

177 137 { 14468 { 

1978 

!:l 

~ ~ 823 998 

16 039 244 

(NA) 

320687 

236 783 68 276 178372 

1 447725 16785 99S 

(NA) 

641 037 452293 

134 741 219854 

623 405 8793 6S3 

(NA) 

228 525 200 264 67741 

128856 

1 344 217 2807 118 

(NA) 

568 549 227336 

439 168 73489 

28 237 

11447 

1 628 090 6330681 (NA) 

464 117 260 268 680 440 179023 

154 252 

1 439040 

2989603 (NA) 

675289 

236 022 405396 

74621 

48 732 

2236964 

4691 426 

(NA) 

1 285 309 754903 

147830 

70642 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Table 3. Farm Production Expenses: 1987, 1982, and 1978-Con. 

[Data .,. baaed on a aampIe of fanna; _ text. For I'M8IIIng of abbrevtationa and eymboIa, _ Introducloly texIl 

TotaIlann production a.pen888-Con. 

EIectrlcIty ____________________________________________________________ farms __ 

$1,000 __ 

percent of 101aL. Farms $1 10 with $499 ~ ____ c _________________________________________________________ of- _ $500 10 $999 ______________________________________________________ ------ $1,000 10 $1,999 ________________________________________________________ _ 

$2,000 10 $4,999 ______________________________________________________ --- $5,000 10 $9,999 ______________________________________________________ --- $10,000 10 $24,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $25,000 or more ________________________________________________________ _ 

Hired lann labor ______________________________________________________ farms __ 

Farms with a.pen888 of-

$1,000 __ 

percent of IolaL. 

$1 10 $999-_____________________________________________________________ _ $1,000 10 $4,999 ________________________________________________________ _ 

$5,000 10 $9,999 ______________________________________________________ ---

$25,000 $10,000 10 $24,999' $49,999 ______________________________________________________ ------------------------------------------------------_ $50,000 10 $79,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $80,000 10 $99,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $100,000 or more _______________________________________________________ _ 

Con1racIIabor ________________________________________________________ farms.._ 

Farms with exp8naea of-

$1,000 __ percent of totaI __ 

$1 10 $999 ______________________________________________________________ _ $1,000 10 $4,999 ________________________________________________________ _ 

$5,000 10 $9,999 ______________________________________________________ ---

$10,000 10 $24,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $25,000 10 $49,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $50,000 or more ________________________________________________________ _ 

Repair and maInIenance ______________________________________________ farms.._ 

$1,000 __ 

Farms with expenaea ofpercent of Iotal __ 

$1 10 $999 ______________________________________________________________ _ 

$1,000 10 $4,999 ________________________________________________________ _ $5,000 10 $9,999 ________________________________________________________ _ 

$10,000 10 $24,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $25,000 10 $49,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $50,000 or more ________________________________________________________ _ 

CuatomworIt, machine hire, and renIaI of machill8ly and equipment' _______ farms __ $1,000 __ 

Farms with exp8naea ofpercent of Iotal __ 

$5,000 

ll,~s4.99ii========================================================= 10 $9,999 ________________________________________________________ _ 

$10,000 10 $24,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $25,000 10 $49,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $50,000 or more ________________________________________________________ _ 

InllII88I4 _ ____ _ ___ _ ____ ____ ____ _____ _ __ _ ___ ____ _ ____ _ __ _ ___ _ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ farms.._ 

$1,000 __ 

percent of Iotal __ 

Farms $1 10 with $999 a.pen888 ______________________________________________________________ 01- _ $1,000 10 $4,999 ________________________________________________________ _ $5,000 10 $9,999 ________________________________________________________ _ 

$10,000 10 $24,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $25,000 10 $49,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $50,000 10 $99,999 ______________________________________________________ _ 

$100,000 or more _______________________________________________________ _ 

Inlereat SecurecI paid on debt by real _Ie _______ ., __________________________________________ _ Not eecured by raal _Ie _______________________________________________ _ 

Cash rent ____________________________________________________________ farms.._ 

$1,000 __ pen:ent of lotal __ 

Farms $1 10 with $499 expenaea ______________________________________________________________ 01- _ 

$500 10 $999 ___________________________________________________________ _ 

$1,000 to $4,999 ________________________________________________________ _ $5,000 10 $9,999 ________________________________________________________ _ $10,000 10 $24,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $25,000 10 $49,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $50,000 or more ________________________________________________________ _ 

Property taxes paid ____ ... _____________________________________________ farms __ 

$1,000 __ percent of total __ 

Farms $1 10 with $499 expenaea ______________________________________________________________ 01- _ $500 10 $999 ___________________________________________________________ _ $1,000 10 $4,999 ________________________________________________________ _ $5,000 10 $9,999 ________________________________________________________ _ $10,000 10 $24,999 ______________________________________________________ _ $25,000 or more ________________________________________________________ _ 

See lootnotea at end of table. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 

1987 

Farms 

1 436 732 

~ 725 614 258 412 209 619 172324 

43 662 19371 

7710 

818347 

~ 380 204 194 308 73 551 94 179 40 816 15796 

4543 

15150 

272094 

~ 123 427 95 157 25 466 17590 

5466 

4944 

1 699 949 

(Xl 

(Xl 

721 521 642 470 166 909 117 595 21078 

8376 

767414 (Xl 

(Xl 

413971 

264 222 50 366 29 545 6599 

3891 

1 014945 

~ 250 189 366 596 

164 956 145 594 47313 

15071 

5234 

721 736 534 648 

594 136 

~ 99 578 65 589 193 945 79871 

82200 

29 909 13044 

1 906 813 

(Xl 

(Xl 

735555 

393 676 654 951 66 515 29 052 5064 

"= 

(Xl 

2225206 2.1 

148 290 175421 

283 236 510953 

267871 } 261518 

539 917 

(Xl 

10866236 10.0 

129 977 442 133 513292 

1454409 } 1 384 806 

971 743 } 400 349 5570026 

(Xl 

1 642994 1.7 

52436 

209 920 

170771 280962} 167651 

961 245 

(Xl 

6361 980 

5.9 

267300 

1 448 819 1 283 773 1 677 210 665 248 996 831 

(Xl 2 176487 2.0 

161655 

589 669 337907 

417 962 } 218597 

470677 

(Xl 

6 156 266 

7.5 

106 594 972932 

1 139 214 

2202369 } 1 562 827 991 966 1 180 377 

5801 350 2556918 

4 669~ 4.3 

22 973 45 335 475561 

557914 

1 266 580 1 009 453 1 309 620 

3120 ZJ 

2.9 

189 241 277307 

1 412669 

585 927 403 855 271 406 

1982 

1 482482 

2041 384 

(NA) 

750 648 279421 

226 437 164 943 

80 835 

669 837 8441 180 

(NA) 

352223 

262 189 90135 

120 049 { 

25241 { 

139 336 1 103 773 

(NA) 

80 291 50 892 12430 

15723 

~! (NA) 

(NA) 

(NA! 

~) 

~! 

766 529 2024683 (NA) 

427 683 276982 

50 248 

31 615 

1 050 104 11 666 942 

(NA) 

223 921 365 026 166 294 

294 683 

~! 

(NA ~A! 

(NA 

i 

~! 

m 

1978 

1 474830 

1 308 290 

(NA) 

904 803 

266 474 172657 

80 332 

30 364 

951 905 

6814426 (NA) 

439 307 292 774 96 456 123 366 

189779 

898 959 

(NA) 

83 067 56 222 14216 

14254 

980 139 1 750 675 

(NA) 

615436 

299 487 42 201 

23 035 

(NA) 

~! 

~ ~l (NA) 

LESSON 111-9 
Table 3. Farm Production Expenses: 1987, 1982, and 1978-Con. 

[Data .,.. baed on a sample of farma; _ text. For meaning of abbrevIati0n8 and symbol., _ Introductory IeldI 

Item 

Total farm production expenaes-Con. 

All oUw farm production expenaes _____________________________________ fanna __ 

$1.000 __ 

peroent of total __ 

Farms $1 wtth expenaes of- to $999 ______________________________________________________________ _ $1,000 to $4, _________________________________________________________ _ $5,000 to $9, _________________________________________________________ _ $10,000 to $24, _______________________________________________________ _ $25,000 to $49, _______________________________________________________ _ $50,000 to $99, _______________________________________________________ _ 

$100,000 or more _______________________________________________________ _ 

'Data for 1978 .,.. for $10,000 or more. 

1987 

Fanna 

1 902918 

~ 915257 

835426 

187399 

124283 

38 482 14295 

9 n4 

~ 

10145 3d 

9.4 

352310 

1 409 482 1 123 735 1 833 178 

1 218978 

945 439 3262784 

'Data for 1987 Include cost of custom appIlcati0n8; data for agricultural chemicals exclude the coat of lime for 1987 and 1982. 'Data for 1987 exclude cost of custom appIlcati0n8 for commercial fartllizer and agricultural chemlcal8. "Data for 1982 do not Include Imputation' (or Item nonrasponaa. 

10-LESSON III 

1982 1978 

!~! 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Table 2. Statistics for Industry Groups and Industries: 1985 

[For meaning of abbrevialions and symbols see introductory lext For explanation of lerms see appandixes] . 1985 

All employees Production workers 

Value added Value of New capital 

SIC Induslry group and industry by manufac· Cost of industry expandi- End-of-year 

code 

~fu~~ ~~P;: ture materials shipments tures inventories 

Number Number Hours (million (million (million (million (million 

(1.000) dollars) (1,000) (millions) dollars) dollars) dollars) dollars) dollars) dollars) 

A B C 0 E F G H I J 

All Industrles _______________________ 18 791.2 442 988.2 12171.1 23 725.4 235731.7 999 065.8 1 276 013.4 2279 131.7 83 236.5 322 256.3 

20 Food'and kindred products ___________________ 1 422.5 28 077.3 993.6 1 941.2 17 427.7 104 146.0 197 274.5 301 562.0 7 046.7 24 023.0 

21 Tobacco producls ___________________________ 49.2 1 369.4 36.9 67.8 940.9 11 893.7 6 625.7 18 506.8 668.5 6 230.8 

22 Textile mill products _________________________ 658.4 9967.1 565.3 1 101.4 7609.2 20 693.3 32 256.3 53 276.5 1 863.3 6 988.0 

23 Apparel and other lextile products _____________ 1 059.2 12 470.6 904.0 1 580.7 9 003.4 27 728.4 29 130.2 56 993.1 697.1 7 997.5 

24 Lumber and wood products ___________________ 612.9 10407.4 514.2 996.4 7 835.8 21 065.5 33 168.8 54 185.1 1 663.5 6 354.8 

25 Furniture and fixtures ________________________ 472.3 7 754.6 380.0 726.8 5 345.5 16478.8 14 764.3 31 293.8 763.3 4 733.6 

26 Papar and allied products ____________________ 604.1 15 350.8 462.1 943.7 10 783.4 40387.2 53 039.0 93 414.4 6276.1 9 856.8 

27 Printing and publishing _______________________ 1 359.8 28 169.2 742.1 1 364.4 13 554.4 73054.3 39 103.8 111 885.0 4 715.3 8 491.4 

28 Chemicals and allied products ________________ 826.2 23 344.9 478.0 951.2 11 682.0 95 257.5 101 696.1 197 311.3 8 269.0 25 106.8 

29 Petroleum and coal products _________________ 127.5 4 131.8 83.5 177.6 2 533.9 17 111.6 161 291.2 179 134.9 3 438.0 13 909.3 

30 Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products ____ 742.5 14 722.9 578.4 1 137.7 9 794.2 35 708.3 35 754.1 71 324.0 3 429.7 8384.8 

31 Leather and leather products _________________ 146.7 1 863.2 124.8 225.1 1 342.3 4 107.5 4444.1 8 567.2 103.4 1 447.2 

32 Stone, clay, and glass products _______________ 519.5 11 476.1 403.8 813.0 8196.2 28 641.8 26 178.8 55064.1 2 780.3 6981.9 33 Primary metal industries ______________________ 742.0 19 853.8 571.0 1 134.5 14 277.4 38 081.9 70803.1 110 300.8 4 755.4 19 383.7 34 Fabricated metal products ____________________ 1 472.8 33 150.0 1 103.5 2200.1 21 976.8 69161.5 70490.3 139 579.7 4 345.6 21 922.4 

35 Machinery, except electrical __________________ 1 991.1 50 904.6 1 236.6 2 434.7 26 510.5 110224.1 102 831.3 215 080.2 8 323.0 44 567.1 36 Electric and electronic equipment _____________ 2007.1 48 504.0 1 233.1 2 373.6 23656.8 109.881.5 83 079.1 192 731.5 10 470.9 37 567.4 37 Transportation equipment ____________________ 1 757.0 54 591.8 1 179.6 2406.6 33171.4 120 953.1 180 856.2 301 388.0 10 377.4 50 947.2 38 Instrumenls and relaled products ______________ 804.3 14 668.4 348.0 676.4 6 692.6 40278.3 20 982.1 61 008.2 2581.2 12 354.0 39 Miscellaneous manufacturing industries ________ 328.0 5 725.7 234.6 452.5 3 415.3 14031.6 12 442.4 26 527.1 668.8 4 986.6 

- Auxiliaries2 -- ____________ -- _ -. __ -- __ -- _ -- _ --- 1 288.1 46464.6 - - - - - - - - 20 Food and kindred products _________________ 1 422.5 28077.3 993.6 1 941.2 17 427.7 104 146.0 197 274.5 301 562.0 7 048.7 24023.0 

201 Meal producls _____________________________ 303.3 4 882.0 253.1 499.3 3 704.6 12 959.3 54 177.9 67138.1 716.5 1 965.6 2011 Meal packing planls _____________________ 122.2 2 252.9 98.7 201.4 1 708.1 5 859.4 36837.2 42553.5 249.9 856.0 2013 Sausages and olher prepared meals ______ 64.6 1 237.2 49.4 98.3 851.4 3 705.1 8 737.3 12 405.7 210.6 685.7 2016 Poullry dressing planls ___________________ 104.0 1 204.5 94.0 175.4 997.4 2 859.4 7494.5 10 339.7 208.4 337.2 2017 Poultry and egg processing _______________ 12.5 187.4 11.0 24.3 147.7 535.4 1 308.9 1 839.3 47.6 86.7 

202 Dairy products ____________________________ 137.6 2 875.6 83.1 166.9 1 595.1 9 629.2 31 486.8 41 075.3 671.3 , 772.7 2021 Creamery butter _________________________ 2.0 40.9 1.7 3.3 31.1 97.6 1 478.0 1 571.0 10.5 46.0 2022 Cheese, natural and processed ___________ 31.5 562.2 25.7 49.8 425.2 1 910.3 9 144.3 11 060.2 133.3 746.8 2023 Condensed and evaporaled milk __________ 12.0 315.5 7.9 18.1 185.0 1 626.0 3689.8 5 287.9 (D) 318.9 2024 Ice cream and frozen desserts ____________ 18.9 384.7 11.7 21.5 199.8 1 040.8 2443.4 3476.9 (D) 218.7 2026 Fluid milk _______________________________ 73.2 1 572.3 36.1 74.3 754.0 4 952.5 14731.3 19679.2 322.3 442.3 

203 Preserved fruits and vegetables _____________ 221.0 3 781.4 183.1 340.2 2 784.8 14 905.3 20 004.2 35021.7 1 006.5 6695.1 2032 Canned speCialties ______________________ 24.2 476.9 19.7 37.0 386.9 2 161.2 2 838.4 4801.7 113.6 764.9 2033 Canned fruils and vegelables _____________ 67.6 1 132.5 57.3 105.4 847.5 4448.3 6440.2 10 998.7 264.1 2 869.8 2034 Dehydraled fruils, vegetables, and soups __ 13.2 242.8 11.0 20.2 175.0 839.9 973.5 1 788.0 61.4 529.8 2035 Pickles, sauces, and salad dressings ______ 22.9 439.3 18.1 34.2 306.4 2 115.6 2 998.0 5 123.2 129.5 606.3 2037 Frozen fruits and vegetables ______________ 46.1 698.6 40.2 73.3 538.6 2 355.1 3 435.3 5802.5 213.5 1 338.5 2038 Frozen specialties _______________________ 47.0 791.3 36.8 69.9 550.4 2985.1 3 518.8 6507.6 224.4 585.8 

204 Grain mill products ________________________ 99.2 2 400.8 67.4 137.9 1 572.3 12 956.4 21 064.1 34 044.3 1 078.9 2 262.3 2041 Flour and other grain mill products ________ 13.3 331.5 9.8 21.0 230.1 1 159.4 4 039.0 5204.6 82.7 407.0 2043 Cereal breakfasl foods ___ . ________________ 16.3 563.1 13.3 27.3 447.1 3 994.7 1 721.2 5 718.1 228.3 275.6 2044 Rice milling _____ • _______________________ 4.9 97.6 3.5 7.2 60.8 388.8 1 187.1 1 581.4 (D) 397.1 2045 Blended and prepared flour _______________ 7.3 160.2 5.1 9.9 102.5 700.1 936.9 1 634.6 (D) 125.2 2046 Wet corn milling _________________________ 8.7 286.5 6.1 13.0 177.5 1 353.4 2 826.4 4 189.7 450.9 262.2 2047 Dog, cal, and olher pel food ______________ 16.7 386.1 12.0 23.5 244.4 3 073.7 2 248.5 5 306.2 97.8 273.1 2048 Prepared feeds, n,a,c, ____________________ 32.0 595.8 17.6 35.9 309.9 2 276.2 8 105.0 10 409.8 141.8 522.1 

205 Bakery producls ___________________________ 208.8 4 478.2 117.9 231.5 2 289.6 12 994.7 7 865.4 20 834.4 586.4 668.9 2051 Bread, cake, and related products _________ 162.1 3 515.4 82.7 159.9 1 624.0 8 810.8 5 576.8 14388.5 378.0 330.1 2052 Cookies and crackers ____________________ 46.7 962.8 35.2 71.5 865.6 4 183.8 2 288.6 6445.9 208.4 336.8 

206 su~:~ a~~n~osn~~~:i~~~-: _~~~~~~~ = = = == = = = == = 91.2 1 845.8 72.4 142.1 1 322.5 7 397.5 9668.0 17 087.0 629.1 2 472.2 2061 6.8 141.4 5.4 11.6 106.8 451.7 772.3 1 168.6 49.3 310.2 2062 

~:~~ SS~gga~r_ ~~~~~n_: = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = == = == 5.8 175.8 4.3 9.4 132.8 583.5 2 029.4 2616.4 41.0 273.6 2063 7.9 180.6 6.6 14.7 142.8 524.3 , 203.3 1 788.8 85.3 458.5 2065 Confectionery products ___________________ 54.6 977.6 43.3 81.2 679.0 4 046.5 3 871.3 7 913.5 313.3 877.1 2066 Chocolate and cocoa products ____________ 10.8 251.5 8.6 17.1 176.1 1 136.8 1 459.8 2 595.6 (D) 420.6 2067 Chewing gum ___________________________ 5.3 118.9 4.2 7.9 85.0 654.6 349.9 1 004.1 (D) 132.2 207 Fats and oils ______________________________ 33.8 753.4 22.8 46.9 460.8 2 774.1 14616.5 17 504.9 337.2 1 344.9 2074 Cottonseed oil mills ______________________ 3.5 64.5 2.7 6.6 44.3 219.3 640.2 880.8 22.0 155.8 2075 Soybean oil mitis ________________________ 7.3 168.8 4.8 10.1 110.8 711.7 7 911.7 8629.4 109.5 625.0 2076 Vegelable oil mills, n.e.c. _________________ 1.2 21.4 .9 1.8 14.5 43.1 507.3 586.0 (D) 83.0 2077 Animal and marine fats and oils ___________ 11.1 .233.9 6.9 13.0 122.3 609.6 1 189.2 1 820.2 (D) 62.2 2079 Shortening and cooking oils ______________ 10.7 264.8 7.5 15.3 168.9 1 190.4 4368.1 5608.4 100.3 418.9 208 

BeM:j~%:~e~ages========================== 183.4 4 624.5 87.2 177.0 2 186.4 19 292.7 24 023.8 43 243.8 1 337.8 4643.8 2082 40.3 1 357.8 27.0 52.6 952.2 5681.3 6529,1 12 215.8 372.2 869.3 2083 Mall ____________________________________ 1.6 43.7 1.2 2.3 32.0 161.8 393.4 571.3 29.1 147.5 2084 Wines, brandy, and brandy spirits _________ 13.2 296.6 7.1 13.5 138.8 1 063.1 1 674.1 2763.4 112.1 1 059.3 2085 ~~Jii~~d ~:~r.nenX;3~~~r~~~~s:::::::: :::: 10.5 267.6 7.4' 15.1 181.6 1 690.9 1 646.1 3 494.8 37.3 1 301.1 2086 105.8 2344.8 37.2 77.8 707.9 7 587.2 11 830.7 19358.2 720.8 1 032.7 2087 Flavoring extracts and syrups, n.a,c. _______ 12.0 314.0 7.3 15.8 153.9 3 108.4 1 750.4 4840.3 66.3 433.9 209 Miscellaneous foods and kindred products ___ 144.2 2 435.6 106.6 199.5 1 531.6 11 236.8 14 349.8 25 612.5 685.0 2 199.5 2091 Canned and cured seafoods ______________ 5.9 84.5 5.0 9.1 59.6 227.4 471.6 697.0 11.6 159.7 2092 Fresh or frozen packaged fish ____________ 36.0 410.7 30.6 53.7 287.5 1 070.1 2668.1 3946.9 58.9 539.8 2095 Roasted coffee __________________________ 11.4 294.5 7.5 15.0 178.1 2445.8 4211.2 6 677.1 138.9 498.0 2097 Manufactured ice ________________________ 4.6 69.4 2.2 3.8 35.2 151.1 79.7 230.9 32.1 6.5 2098 Macaroni and spaghetti __________________ 7.7 141.7 5.6 11.7 93.5 628.6 528.1 1 154.7 31.8 92.5 2099 Food preparations, n,e.c. _________________ 78.7 1 434.8 55.7 106.1 877.7 6 713.9 6 193.1 12 906.0 411.7 903.0 21 Tobacco produ-.;:t8 __________________________ 49.2 1 369.4 36.9 67.8 940.9 11 893.7 6 625.7 18 506.8 868.5 6 230.8 211 

Cit~~~~:~es-============================== 35.5 1 130.7 26.6 47.9 799.7 10 540.7 4362.1 14 896.8 622.2 5 183.5 2111 35.5 1 130.7 26.6 47.9 799.7 10 540.7 4 362.1 14 896.8 622.2 5 183.5 212 

Cit~~~~s================================== 2121 4.0 50.1 3.4 6.3 35.4 136.8 107.8 243.8 5.2 83.6 4.0 50.1 3.4 6.3 35.4 136.8 107.8 243.8 5.2 63.6 213 Chewin~ and smokin~ tobacco ______________ 

2131 CheWing and smoking 3.0 61.7 2.1 3.7 36.5 641.1 306.0 946.6 13.1 170.5 lobacco ____________ 3.0 61.7 2.1 3.7 36.5 641.1 306.0 946.6 13.1 170.5 214 Tobacco stemmin~ and redryin~ ____________ 

2141 Tobacco stemmIng and redrylng __________ 6.7 126.9 4.8 9.9 69.3 575.0 1 849.8 2 419.6 28.0 813.2 6.7 126.9 4.8 9.9 69.3 575.0 1 849.8 2419.6 28.0 813.2 

SAA footnotes at end of table. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 111-11 
Table 4. Where the Food Dollars Got 

Farm value 

Processing 

Transportation 

Wholesaling 

Retailing 

Food service 

At home 

30% 

31% 

6% 

10% 

23% 

100% 

Away from home 

16% 

15% 

3% 

6% 

6Q!& 

100% 

Table 5. Farm Value Share of Grocery Store Food Pricest 

Food Retail Price 

Eggs 61% 

Beef 58% 

Chicken 57% 

Milk 46% 

Orange juice 39% 

Pork 38% 

Sugar 37% 

Cheese 34% 

Flour 31% 

Peanut butter 26% 

Shortening 26% 

Margarine 26% 

Rice 23% 

Potatoes 22% 

Oranges 21% 

Lettuce 17% 

Tomatoes 8% 

White bread 8% 

ISource: USDA's 1989 Food Cost Review 

12-LESSON III 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Table 6. Where the Money Goes! 

Farm value 

Labor 

Packaging 

Intercity transportation 

Depreciation 

Advertising 

Fuels and electricity 

Before tax profits 

Rent 

Interest 

Repairs 

Other costs 

25.0% 

34.5% 

3.0% 

4.5% 

4.5% 

4.5% 

3.5% 

3.0% 

3.0% 

2.0% 

1.5% 

6.0% 

1 Source: USDA's 1989 Food Cost Review 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 111-13 

Lesson IV------

The Effect of Agriculture 

on Community 

Characteristics 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

BUREAU OF THE CENSUS 

The Effect of Agriculture on 

Community Characteristics 

Agriculture is one of the major economic sectors in our country. According to the 

United States De~artment of Agriculture, it is the Nation's largest industry and 

largest employer. 

About 21 million people work in some phase of agriculture--from growing food 

and fiber to selling it at the supermarket. In addition to the operators," farming and 

ranching employs roughly 2.1 million workers, as many as the combined work 

forces of transportation, the steel industry, and the automobile industry. ,,2 

The data tables used in this lesson are for the United States. (NOTE: The same 

data items are available at the State and county levels, so instructors could 

develop similar plans for their county.) 

Viewing the United States as one large community, in the census of agriculture we 

see a variety of agricultural production, agriculture operator characteristics, and 

related statistics. The census of agriculture is the only source of comparable 

agricultural information down to the county level for the Nation. The census of 

agriculture provides a broad range of information, such as: 

• Number of farms 

• Land in farms 

• Principal occupation of operators 

• Tenure of operators 

• Days worked off farm 

• Farm-related income 

• Organization of agricultural operation 

• Sex, ethnic origin, and race of agricultural operators 

1 1989 Fact Book of Agriculture, 1989, United States Department of Agriculture, Miscellaneous 

Publication Number 1063, p.l. 

2 Ibid, p. 2. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 1V-3 
• Livestock, poultry, and animal specialties production 

• Harvested cropland 

• Farms with irrigated land 

• Crop production 

• Machinery and equipment 

• Production expenses 

Information is a vital factor in improving agricultural products and productivity. 

The Nation's consumers, farmers, elected officials, agricultural administrators, 

researchers, and educators need facts, figures, and findings to make the best 

decisions. 

The census data show that agriculture, like many industries, operates in cycles. 

When agriculture does well, much of the immediate community does well. If 

farmers and ranchers make money, they purchase goods, supplies, and services 

within their communities--and the community prospers. When agricultural 

producers operate at a loss, they have less money to spend and their suppliers lose 

business potential. 

The agriculture census data provide snapshots of agriculture in the United States. 

For example, table 1 (p. IV-11-12) provides a look at the most current census and 

trends from earlier census years for the highlighted items presented. 

The major influence of the census of agriculture data at the community level 

depends upon who uses the data and how it is used. It was stated earlier that the 

data are the only comparable agriculture information down to the county level for 

the entire Nation. 

Uses of Census of Agriculture Data at the Community Level 

Agribusinesses and Farm Cooperatives 

Agribusinesses and farmer cooperatives that provide seeds, commercial fertilizers, 

chemicals, feed for livestock, farm implements, and other services use the census 

data to market their products and services. They use it to understand the type of 

4-LESSON IV 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
agricultural production common in their service area. Also, they can determine the 

size of farms or ranches in their service area, and the value of sales of farms and 

ranches in their service area. 

One question that may arise is, "What are the benefits of this information or 

knowledge?" It allows agribusinesses to market their goods and services toward 

the current clientele. For example, feed manufacturers selling feed to cattle and 

hog producers would likely redirect their marketing efforts toward larger producers 

based upon the 1987 Census of Agriculture data. 

Table 25 (p. IV-18) suggests that larger producers continue to raise more and more 

of the cattle in the United States. In 1987, producers with over 100 head of cattle 

raised 70 percent of all cattle, up from 68 percent in 1982. Similarly, those 

producers with under 100-head herds in 1987 produced 30 percent of all cattle 

raised in this country, compared with 32 percent for 1982. Therefore, feed 

manufacturers would direct their marketing strategies toward larger producers to 

keep and improve their market share, due to a dwindling customer base with small 

producers. 

In addition, the census can provide information for potential agribusinesses as well 

as established businesses. For example, if four or more counties within a State or 

region of the country had significant livestock production, a meat packing 

company may locate a slaughterhouse in a central location to serve these livestock 

agricultural producers. 

Another example of an agribusiness using census data is farm machinery 

manufacturers. Table 13 (p. IV-14) provides information on selected machinery 

and equipment on a place. Information is available on motortrucks, wheel tractors, 

grain and bean combines, cottonpickers and strippers, mower conditioners, and 

pickup balers. Farm machinery manufacturers use the data on inventory of 

equipment to determine marketing strategies and number of units to manufacture. 

The data showing when the equipment was manufactured give the industry an 

indication of a need for new equipment. Also, the amount of older equipment may 

indicate a need for additional farm equipment repair shops and the need to stock 

more parts for repair of older equipment. 

Government 

The census of agriculture data are not only used by agribusinesses, but also by 

legislators and government agencies at the national, State, and local levels. The 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 1V-5 
data influence the community by how it is used. It serves as benchmark statistics 

for most USDA agencies and State departments of agriculture. 

It is used to formulate farm legislation. Legislators use the census data to 

determine how many of their constituents or voters will benefit or be harmed by 

certain bills. For example, a potential fann bill could affect agricultural producers 

that grow small grains (wheat, oats, rye, barley, or triticale). The cut off point for 

aid or support could be if a producer grew 100 acres or more. 

Another example of how census data used by the government may influence our 

community is in times of crisis. The United States Department of Agriculture uses 

the data to plan for operations during drought and emergency outbreaks of diseases 

or infestations of pests. The data were used for avian flu outbreaks in the 

mid-Atlantic States in the mideighties. It was also used to monitor counties in 

California during the fruit fly infestation. 

State and local governments use the data to analyze and develop policies on land 

use, water use and irrigation, rural development, and farmland assessment. Also, 

local governments can determine where the major agricultural production areas are 

located and create agriculture enterprise zones. 

Operator Characteristics 

The agriculture census not only collects infonnation on agricultural production, 

but also selected data on the operator of the fann or ranch. Table 16 (p. IV-IS) 

gives data on tenure of operators and other characteristics for all farms and farms 

operated by minorities. The classifications of tenure used in the 1987 Census of 

Agriculture were: 

• full owners - operate only land they own. 

• part owners - their operation is a combination of land they own and also land 

they rent from others. 

• tenants - their operation is all of the land they rent from others. 

Table 17 (p. IV-16) provides selected infonnation on fanns and ranches operated 

by females, persons of Spanish origin, and specified racial groups for 1987 and 

1982. 

This type of data is useful. Data users get an idea of how important agriculture is 

6-LESSON IV 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
to the community. The census collects infonnation on the operator's principal 

occupation, days worked off fann, race and ethnic origin, whether operator lived 

on the fann, age of operator, and other characteristics. For example, the 1987 

Census of Agriculture showed 54.5 percent of U.S. agricultural operators 

considered fanning as their principal occupation. Table 2 (p. IV - 13) shows the 

principal occupation of aglicultural operators for each State and the United States 

by percent. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON IV-7 
Topics for Class Discussion 

(1) What types of agribusinesses would use the census of agriculture to help serve 

the agricultural producers (fanners, ranchers, greenhouse and nursery, animal 

specialties) in your community? 

(2) Based upon the type of agricultural production in your community, how 

could your local elected officials use the census of agriculture to benefit 

agricultural producers in your area? 

(3) The principal occupation of the major operator of most agricultural operations 

is farming (55 percent). What is it for your State? What do you think it is for 

your county? 

Matching 

Refer to table 16 (p. N-15) under the item "operators by age group." Match 

column A with column B. 

A 

1. Under 25 years 

2. 25 to 34 years 

3. 35 to 44 years 

4. 45 to 54 years 

5. 55 to 64 years 

6. 65 and over 

8-LESSON IV 

B 

A. 495,816 fanns 

B. 454,910 fanns 

c. 242,688 fanns 

D. 35,851 farms 

E. 447,341 fanns 

F. 411,153 fanns 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Test for Lesson IV 

1. According to the data in table 16 (p. N-15), the type of organization that 

most fanns are classified in our Nation is: 

a. individual or family (sole proprietorship) 

b. partnership 

c. corporation 

d. other (cooperative, estate, trust, institutional) 

2. The number of female operators reported in the 1987 Census of Agriculture was 

(refer to table 16): 

a. 1,311,614 

b. 1,956,118 

c. 131,641 

d.113,941 

3. The number of full owners reported in the 1987 Census of Agriculture was 

(refer to table 16): 

a. 1,487,937 

b.240,200 

c. 1,163,336 

d. 1,238,547 

4. The number of operators not living on their fanns in 1987 was 

(refer to table 16): 

a.411,153 

b.442,613 

c.240,200 

d.303,875 

5. The average age of female operators reported in 1987 was 

(refer to table 17): 

a.56.0 

b.51.5 

c.56.6 

d.52.0 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON 1V-9 
True or False 

6. There were more tractors on fanns manufactured from 1983 to 1987 than 

manufactured prior to 1983. (refer to table 13, p. IV-14) 

7. There were more tractors on fanns with 40 horsepower or more than under 40 

horsepower in 1987. (refer to table 13) 

8. Agricultural producers with 100 head of cattle or more raised 

70 percent of all cattle in 1987. (refer to table 25, p. IV -18) 

9. Of the fanns reporting milk cows, fanns with a herd size of 50 to 99 head 

accounted for over 30 percent of the milk cow inventory. (refer to table 25) 

10-LESSON IV 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Table 1. Historical Highlights: 1987 and Earlier Census Years 

[For meaning of abbreviations and symbols _ Introductory textl 

All farm. 1987 1982 1978 1974 1989 1984 1959 1954' 

Farms ____________________ number __ 2087 759 2240 976 2257775 2314013 2 730 250 3 157 857 3 710 503 4 782 416 Land In farms _______________ acres __ 984 470 625 998 798 579 1014 7n 234 1 017 030 357 1 062892501 1 110 187000 1 123 507 574 1 158 191 511 

Average alze of farm _____ acres __ 482 440 449 440 389 352 303 242 

Value of land and buildings": Average per farm _______ doIlars __ 147838 75714 50 648 34 825 20 405 289387 345 889 279872 Average per acre _______ doIlars __ 627 764 619 338 164 144 115 64 

EaIlmated market value of 

all machlll8fY and equipment" ______________ $1.000 __ 48 402 624 25343077 (NA) (NA) (NA) 65 601 360 93 662 647 77 600 669 Average per farm _______ doIlars __ 41 227 41 919 34 471 22 303 9770 (NA) (NA) (NA) 

Farms by me: 1 128 254 162111 182581 244 328 484 291 to 9 acres _____________________ 183 257 187865 151 233 10 to 49 acres _______ . ____________ 412437 449252 391 554 379543 473485 837434 813216 1 212831 50 to 179 acres __________________ 644 649 711 652 759047 827664 1 001 706 1 175370 1 430496 1 817 172 160 to 499 acres _________________ 478294 528 510 581 831 616098 728 383 806 743 886 022 945 944 500 to 999 acres _________________ 200 058 203 925 213209 207297 215659 210437 200 012 191 697 1.000 to 1.999 acres ______________ 102078 97395 97600 92712 91 039 64 999 } 138 427 130481 2.000 acres or mora ______________ 66 766 64 577 83 301 62225 59907 60 293 

Total cropland ______________ farms __ I 648 574 2010609 2081 604 2 157 511 2521 659 2907265 3431 544 4 418 915 acres __ 443 318 233 445 382 028 453 874 133 440 039 087 458 889 605 434 232 200 448 087 341 459648981 

Harvested cropland _______ farms __ 1 643 833 1 609 758 1 904 602 1 954 700 2219831 2701 694 3 201 315 4 104 241 

acres __ 282223860 326306482 317 145 955 303001 643 273016000 266 891 974 311 476 141 332870479 

Irrigated Iand _______________ farms __ 291 628 278277 280 779 236 733 257 147 297387 307 783 320 236 

acres __ 48 366 201 49002433 50 349 906 41 243 023 39 121 693 37058 083 33 162 978 29 552 155 

Market value of agricultural producta soId' ____________ $1.000 __ 138 048 516 131 900 223 107073458 61 528 128 45 583 691 35 292 431 30 492 601 24644 727 Average per farm _______ doIlars __ 65165 58 658 47424 35231 16889 11 176 8216 5 153 

Crops. Including nul88/Y and greenhouse crops __ $1.000 __ 58 931 085 62 258 087 48 203 200 41 790 365 16922 023 16 236 248 13248 204 12 221 875 

livestock. poultry. and their products __________ $1.000 __ 77 117 431 69 644 138 58 870 258 39503650 28 460 921 16 641 027 17 059 129 12 292 424 

F~ ~~.~~ ____________ 490 298 536327 460 535 649448 1 031 836 1 338 259 1 837649 2676466 $2.500 to $4.999 _________________ 282916 276208 300 699 257283 357922 443 918 617 677 811 965 $6.000 to $9.999 _________________ 274972 281 602 314066 298 373 390 425 504 614 653 891 706 929 $10.000 to $24.999" ______________ 328 166 340 254 394 876 } { 795505 448 945 $25.000 to $49.999" ______________ 219838 248 628 300 515 958 092 898 159 837507 - 134 003 $50.000 to $99.999 _______________ 216050 251 501 283 092 - - $100.000 to $499.999 _____________ 283 699 274560 203 895 141 167 47916 } 31 401 { - - $600.000 or mora ________________ 32023 27600 17973 11 412 4079 - -

Farms by type of organization: 

Individual or family (sole proprletorshlp) ___________________ 1 609324 1 945 839 1 985860 (NA! (NA) (NA) 

l~! (NA) ="u! ====================== 

199 559 223 274 232538 

l~ lNA) (NA) (NA) 

66 989 59792 50 231 NA) (NA) (NA (NA) 

Other-cooperative. 

estate or trua~ I_nal. etc. _________________ 11 907 12271 9148 (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) 

Operators by days worked 

off None farm': ____________________________ 644 476 961 798 942603 829 643 (NA) (NA) (NA) 2560019 

A'loo-daya-O;:-mor;-============== 1 115560 1 187 374 1 203 296 1 011 476 1 482292 1 482 183 1 963 641 2 153 737 737206 774944 770045 657971 870 815 824 173 877 819 1 027349 

Operators ~ principal occupation : 

=~-========================= 1 138 179 1 234 787 1 289 305 1 427366 (NAl (NAl ~~l (NAl 949560 1 006 189 998 470 851 902 (NA (NA (NA 

Average age of operator' _____ y8&l8 __ 52.0 50.5 50.3 51.7 51.2 51.3 50.5 49.8 

Total farm yo<fuctlon expenses _______________ $1.000 __ 108 138 053 (NA) (NA) 61 007649 37 559 615 (NA) (NA) (NA) 

Se!ec1ed farm production 

e~' . and poultry 

r-l'=e8iOi:k-iilKi--- $1.000 __ 19344845 17 174 334 16039244 9953 948 8077 779 4177 765 3858 777 (NA) 

poultry ________________ $1.000 __ 19 183 364 18591 664 15 785 995 13647816 7082274 5511 813 4 755 471 3906048 Commercial fertlllzat4 ____ $1.000 __ 6664944 7669385 6330581 5 137381 2209 165 1 771 617 (NA) (NA) Petroleum products ______ $1.000 __ 5277 227 7886052 4891 425 3087606 1 906 579 1 796 798 1 554 367 1 396 244 Hired farm labor _________ $1.000 __ 10886236 8441 160 6614428 4652075 3375203 2798 571 2621 651 2279347 Inten8e1 ~se" ________ $1.000 __ 8 158 286 11 886 942 (NA) (NAJ (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) Agrlcu chemical" ___ $1.000 __ 4690 243 4282213 2899503 175777 908 036 (NA) (NA) (NA) 

Uvestock and poultry: Callie and calves Inventory _______________ farms __ 1 176348 1 354 992 1 348 108 1 503 244 1 719403 2283 661 2674 176 3650 714 number __ 95647299 104 475 627 103 865 109 113 174 700 106 345 741 105557830 92 534 082 95 027 041 Beef cows _____________ farms __ 641776 957699 954 360 1 024935 (N:J 1 323 912 (NA) (NA) 

Milk cows ______________ number __ 31 652593 34 202 607 34 328 274 41 257898 34 337 3 32 719 198 24 751 452 25 026 574 farms __ 202066 277 762 312095 403754 566 237 1 133 912 1 792393 2935642 number __ 10064697 10849690 10221 692 10654516 11 174036 14622 604 16522 028 20 18? 603 

Callie and calves sold ____ farms __ I 150 523 1 278609 1 320 183 1 437101 1 845 518 1 990 966 2303 737 2611 031 number __ 72603641 71 218727 78 020 351 70019 160 74616 155 62 952 104 51 251 240 44 350 808 

Hogs and pigs Inventory ___ farms __ 243 398 329 633 445 117 470258 886 097 1 081 436 1 648 764 2385 708 number __ 52271 120 55366 205 57697316 45503604 55454 828 54 060 194 67 949 259 57 092 919 Hog. and pigs sold _______ farms __ 236819 315095 423 576 449641 845 129 602620 1 273293 1 423943 number __ 98 589 359 94 783 598 90 757 143 79897397 69313449 83 537060 60 899 553 57 418 566 Chicken. 3 months old or older Inventory'o _________ farms __ 144 438 215612 240 891 316243 471 264 1 210669 2 172 284 3418 204 number __ 373577 189 362484997 354 357 427 335740 245 371 008 459 343 181 607 351 029 294 375600447 Broilers and other meat- type chickens sold _______ farms __ 27645 30100 31 743 34340 33 753 35126 41 743 50 094 number __ 4381 975830 3516622 899 3062 154 490 2516513032 2429773428 1 915 373 928 1 414259366 796 207 023 

See footnotes at end of table. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON IV -11 
Table 1. Historical Highlights: 1987 and Earlier Census Years-con. 

[For meaning 01 abbreviations and symbols. see Introductory text) 

Alilarms 1987 1982 

Selected aops haJvested: Com lor grain or seed ____ farms __ 627602 715171 acres __ 58 701 505 69 857 993 bushels __ 8725001 837 7508 721 493 Wheat for grain __________ lanna __ 352237 446 075 acres __ 53 224 174 70910293 bushels __ 1 867 103 984 2373246 859 Soybeans lor beans ______ farms __ 441 899 511 229 acres __ 55291 205 84 832 842 bushels __ 1 838 053 979 1 989993 158 COtton ___________________ lanna __ 43 046 38 266 acres __ 9828 081 9781 404 baIes __ 13260 143 11 375524 

Tobacco _________________ farms __ 136662 179141 acres __ 833310 931 855 pounds __ 1 215221 360 1 671 309 459 Hay-aHaHa, other tame. small grain, wild, grass 

silage, green chop, etc. (see text) _______________ farms __ 994 551 1 050 992 acres __ 57987530 58 743 838 tons, dry __ 128816054 128474661 

v:~t=~~~~~-- farms __ 50 819 69 109 acres __ 3467583 3330837 land In orchards _________ larms __ 120 434 123 683 aCf'es __ 4560 183 4750 667 

'Data lor 1954 exclude Alaska and Hawaii. 

aData are based on a sample ollarms. 

'Data lor 1974 and pr10r years Include the value 01 forest products sold. 

'Data lor 1982 and pr10r years exclude abnormal lanna. 

'Data lor 1959 are for $10.000 or more. 

'Data lor 1954 are lor $25.000 or more. 

1978 1974 1989 

810577 883 309 985629 70043480 61 653 842 62540249 8605 185 861 4 398 912 922 4441 808 244 378574 533 520 583 605 54 165 166 82 957 215 45 372 866 1 607540430 1 691 553 354 1 328003477 537037 542 029 529 798 61 339 849 46 118 849 36549683 1 722 154 229 1 145 766 470 1 041 469 049 52628 89538 199785 12693 772 12 223 500 11 498 220 10866447 10667205 10360 171 

186849 197784 276 186 983 224 677 113 878927 1 916 169 782 1 733 385 121 1 843 934 600 

1 132997 1 145 540 1229877 60 241 391 58 238 381 53 203 606 130 713 665 115028236 111 813581 

73183 76566 101 760 3 534 142 3 124 257 3352385 121 852 105997 133 311 4483627 4 190 340 4233697 

'Data lor 1974 apply only to IndMduai or lamlly operations (sole proprietorship) and partner8hlps; see text 

'Data lor 1987 Include cost 01 cu810m appllcatlons; data lor agricultural chemicals exclude the cos1 01 lime lor 1987 and 1982. "Data for 1982 do not Include Imputation lor Rem nonresponse. 

'OData lor 1984 and prior years are lor chickens 4 months old or older. "Data for 1974 were from land area used. 

12-LESSON IV 

1984 1959 1954' 

1382773 1 989822 

!5! 53 761 095 70084969 3381 141 669 3697 190 984 739662 (NA) 

47958 362 49566924 61 381 684 1 217791 675 1 055 924 506 908 927 557 560 158 499710 

~ 29 843 540 22 079 846 669684582 515627967 324381 509 540 684 1 13918846 14 849 284 18858145 14734 217 13 913 505 12 921 378 

331 385 415315 511 503 1 025240 1 108 274 1 557239 1 987528 962 1 846 512 924 1 921 525672 

(NA) 

65284703 (NAJ 83 549 55 69 940 (~ 

115 760 694 106 589 830 103 597 282 

131 653 182327 279606 3333772 3490783 3739994 224566 319461 424747 4251 130 4 119 828 4003428 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Table 2. Operators by Principal Occupation (1987) 

Percent 

u.s. & States Farming llilw: 

United States 54.5 45.5 

Alabama 37.9 62.1 

Alaska 43.2 56.8 

Arizona 49.3 50.7 

Arkansas 50.2 49.8 

California 50.4 49.6 

Colorado 60.5 39.5 

Connecticut 51.5 48.5 

Delaware 59.8 40.2 

Florida 43.3 56.7 

Georgia 44.7 55.3 

Hawaii 57.8 42.2 

Idaho 60.3 39.7 

illinois 64.3 35.7 

Indiana 52.0 48.0 

Iowa 71.6 28.4 

Kansas 62.1 37.9 

Kentucky 44.8 55.2 

Louisiana 49.3 50.7 

Maine 51.4 48.6 

Maryland 53.3 46.7 

Massachusetts 51.1 48.9 

Michigan 51.0 49.0 

Minnesota 68.8 31.2 

Mississippi 44.3 55.7 

Missouri 50.6 49.4 

Montana 70.8 29.2 

Nebraska 75.0 25.0 

Nevada 33.3 66.7 

New Hampshire 45.8 54.2 

New Jersey 46.3 53.7 

New Mexico 50.8 49.2 

New York 60.9 39.1 

North Carolina 51.8 48.2 

North Dakota 82.3 17.7 

Ohio 49.9 50.1 

Oklahoma 47.1 52.9 

Oregon 48.0 52.0 

Pennsylvania 57.8 42.2 

Rhode Island 49.2 50.8 

South Carolina 43.8 56.2 

South Dakota 78.1 21.9 

Tennessee 38.6 61.4 

Texas 44.3 55.7 

Utah 45.1 54.9 

Vermont 64.0 36.0 

Virginia 46.0 54.0 

Washington 52.6 47.4 

West Virginia 41.8 58.2 

Wisconsin 71.0 29.0 

Wyoming 64.7 35.3 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON IV -13 
Table 12. Value of Machinery and Equipment on Place: 1987 and 1982 

[Data are based on a aampIe of farms; see text. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols. see Introductory text] 

1987 1982 

Value of machinery and equipment Value Value Farms ($1,000) Farms ($1,000) 

Estimated rnar1<et value of all machinery and equipment ___________ _ 2081 218 85801 380 2234385 93 662 947 AV8I898 per farm' _________________________________________ _ (X) 41 227 

218289 595818 

By value group: $1 to $4,999 ______________________________________________ _ $5,000 to $9,999 __________________________________________ _ 458 902 3055017 $10,000 to $19,999 ________________________________________ _ 389031 5150 955 $20,000 to $29,999 ________________________________________ _ 255 033 5831 552 $30,000 to $49,999 ________________________________________ _ 249 819 9017970 

$50,000 to $89,999 ________________________________________ _ 169 208 8780 014 $70,000 to $99,999 ________________________________________ _ 117902 9491 712 $100,000 to $199,999 ______________________________________ _ 188 409 21595 In $200,000 to $499,999 ______________________________________ _ 84 283 18580238 5100 3091 308 } 1282 2831 600 

$500,000 to $999,999 ______________________________________ _ $1,000,000 or more ________________________________________ _ 

'Data are In whole doIl&nI. 

Table 13. Selected Machinery and Equipment on Place: 1987 and 1982 

[Data are based on a sample of farms; see text. For meaning of abbreviations and symbols. see Introductory text) 

1987 

Selected machinery and equipment Total Manufactured 1983 to 1987 Manufaclured prior to 1983 

Farms Number Farms Number Farms Number 

Motortrucl<s, Including plct<upe___________________________________ 1 808 431 3 437 042 2 or 3 ______________________________________________________ 619 174 1 415 940 4 or more ___________________________________________________ 185 037 1 016 662 

Wheel traclOr8_________________________________________________ 1 842 854 4 609 388 2 or 3 ______________________________________________________ 757 238 1 808 697 4 or more ___________________________________________________ 404 410 2 119 795 

~ ~ ~ ~~~=============================== 1 ~ m ~:::~ ~~ Grain and bean oomblnes' _____________________________________ _ CottonpIckera and strippers ____________________________________ _ Mower conditioners ___________________________________________ _ PIckup baIers _________________________________________________ _ 

'Data for 1982 Include self-propelled only. 

598 848 

27749 

595 603 7024n 

887 128 42914 

852 193 822 927 

613 n3 76406 

8837 

302412 

85 987 10188 

106 719 221 092 

62542 

5805 

118259 

1134n 

749 738 1 506 644 2690306 185937 479720 1 096 499 52069 131 195 698 108 

428837 1 731 082 4 182 551 145297 7184n 17141n 55 303 351 394 1 807 183 125882 992887 1 516009 301 155 1 245 927 2886542 

67192 514431 599 938 7783 23 656 35131 124738 479572 527457 121 959 616300 700 971 

(X) 

209 848 

551413 

413797 

249 420 242315 

185 245 129 590 189785 

n 207 

8745 

1982 

41919 

823 839 3892241 

5438321 

5870140 

8984982 

9175399 

10419930 

24484447 

19857484 

5416804 

Number 

manufactured Farms Number 1978 to 1982 

1914101 3435 194 1 080 344 812981 1 395 289 276091 183 594 902389 89 on 

1919714 4523 849 718283 811374 1 942612 283 313 381 203 1 834 100 87656 

~! I:! ~! 

580 9n 644 311 149 721 31894 49 583 13579 543 629 594 480 173788 712614 799 714 184 740 

14-LESSON IV 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Table 16. Tenure and Characteristics of Operator and Type of Organization for All Farms 

and Farms Operated by Black and Other Races: 1987, 1982, and 1978 

[For IM8I1ing 01 abbreviations and aymboIa, 088 in!roducIofy text] 

Tenure 01 operator. All operatore _____________________________________ fetma __ 

8Ct88 __ Harveeted cropland _____________________________ fetma __ 

ac::rea __ Full ownet'8 ____________________________________ farms __ 

ar.:rea __ Harveeted cropland ___________________________ fetma __ 

8Ct88 __ 

Part ownet'8 ____________________________________ fetma __ 

&a88 __ Harveeted cropland ___________________________ farms __ 

8Ct88 __ 

Tenan1B _______________________________________ fetma __ 

8Cf8S __ Ha!vested cropland ___________________________ fetma __ 

acres __ 

Percent 01 tenancy ______________________________ percent.._ 

Operators On by plaCe 01 residence: fann operated _______________________________________ _ 

t: = ~~===================================== Operators Fanning by 

________________________________________________ principal oca.opatlon: _ Other __________________________________________________ _ 

Operators None ___________________________________________________ by days 01 work off !ann: _ 

"1' lO4tidii8=========================================== 50 to 99 days _________________________________________ _ 100 to 149 days _______________________________________ _ 150 to 199 daya _______________________________________ _ 200 days or more _____________________________________ _ 

Not reported ____________________________________________ _ 

Operators by years on present fann: 2 yeers or leu __________________________________________ _ 3 or 4 yeers ____________________________________________ _ 5 to 9 yeers _____________________________________________ _ 10 years or more ________________________________________ _ 

Average yeers on pAl98nt!ann _________________________ _ 

Not reported ____________________________________________ _ 

Operators Under by age group: 25 yeers __________________________________________ _ 

~~ ~ : == =========================================== 45 to 49 yeers __________________________________________ _ 

fi Average ~ ~ age j~~~~~~~~~ffffffff~f~~ffffff~~~ff~~ff~ff~~ __________________________________________ _ 

Operators Male by aex: ____________________________________________ farms __ 

acres __ Female __________________________________________ larmtL_ 

acres __ 

Operators of SpanIsh origin (see text) ________________ Ianna __ 

aaes __ Operators not 01 SpanIsh origin ______________________ lanna __ 

Spanish origin not reported __________________________ fanns __ 

T1.: 01 organization· nd1vIdwil or familY (sole proprietorship) _____________ tarms.._ 

acres __ PartnerahIp ______________________________________ Ianna __ 

acres __ Corporation ______________________________________ Ianna __ 

acres __ 

Family More held: than 10 stocI<IIoIders ____________________ fanns.._ 

acres __ 10 or leu stockholders _______________________ Ianna __ 

acres __ 

Other More than family held: than 10 atockhoIdars ____________________ farms __ 

aCf88 __ 10 or 1888 atockhoIdars _______________________ Ianna __ 

Other-coopeo-atlve, etc. ____________________________________________ _te or trust, InaIItutionaI, tarms.._ 

8Cf88 __ 

'For cl888fficatlon of social and ethnic groups, eee text. 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 

All farms 

1987 1982 

2087759 2240 976 964 470 625 986 796 579 1 643 633 1 809 756 282223880 328 308 462 1 238 547 1 325773 317787 149 342448434 891 298 985 976 67278 104 86 861 830 

809 012 856 249 519814523 530 703 476 552372 603 083 186 718 930 193 219 486 

240 200 256 954 

128 986 953 113644869 199 973 220 897 48 228 848 48 225 344 

11.5 11.6 

1 487937 1 561 101 442613 428 322 157209 230 553 

1 138 179 1 234 787 949 560 1 008 189 

644 476 861 798 1 115560 1 187374 135 116 156 421 84 915 67 312 70622 74300 107701 114497 737208 774644 

127723 191 804 

113554 127 176 135 473 192714 303 875 360 456 1 163 338 1 097660 18.8 17.3 

371 521 482986 

35 651 62 338 242686 293 810 411 153 443 420 

223 275 } 231 635 505 412 

247908 } 247908 538 402 

191435 } 255 908 399 596 

52.0 50.5 

1 956 118 2 119377 924579884 951 437904 131841 121 599 39890761 35356675 

17 476 16163 8340701 8872086 1 453 384 ~A) 616919 NA) 

1 809 324 1 945 639 627559 205 842 360 423 199 559 223274 153 263 239 151 660 157 86 969 59 792 119 375 386 127308786 

1 172 1 810 7730867 12 193 725 59 599 50 842 98 215 437 100 884 435 

819 1 143 4714651 5979237 5379 5997 8714431 8471 389 

11907 12271 84 252 795 65 247 233 

Fanns opera1ed by Bleck and other races' 

1978 1987 1982 1978 

2257 775 44 640 54 387 57986 1 014717 234 51 974575 52 910 625 53 624 951 1 904 602 30 940 40 294 45 891 317 145 955 2256492 2861 357 3 102963 1 297902 28 407 33 985 34150 331 920 878 43 553 565 42 175 419 42924391 1 021 644 18108 23 243 25161 8084028 760 996 998 381 931 890 

861 112 9996 13093 15028 561 138 719 8375531 9350 838 8 539869 637 148 8050 II 184 13307 187442644 1 017704 1 407216 1 579289 

278781 6237 7309 8812 121 717 637 2045479 1 384 370 2 160 871 245 812 4762 5867 7423 49 062 683 457792 467 780 591 784 

12.3 14.0 13.4 152 

1 585 704 26 412 31 597 33 908 421 790 13382 14132 13749 250281 4848 8838 10333 

1 289 305 21 376 26 387 30 054 986 470 23 264 27980 27 934 

942603 18329 19077 22 386 1 203 286 25 002 29 487 31 403 181471 3088 3456 4500 71000 1 987 2327 2711 72852 2072 2519 2597 107918 2624 3427 3683 770045 15033 17 756 17 932 

111686 3309 5603 4197 

~ 3130 3350 (NA) 3225 4399 (NA) 6326 7035 (NA) 19132 20150 (NA) 17.1 16.6 ~I 

(NA) 12827 19433 (NA) 

86 575 426 629 787 285420 3591 4 713 4912 433 900 7926 8786 8754 

549 159 { 4308 } 4815 II 636 12953 

552175 { 5084 } 5734 14292 15880 

370548 { 4977 } 7797 14311 14702 

50.3 55.0 54.6 54.3 

2 144 976 40 480 49348 52425 979434374 51 138 089 52 149 157 52823 823 112 799 4160 5019 5563 35 342 660 838 486 781 486 601 126 

17 572 5535 4239 3576 11 426 343 1 632 997 1 265 780 1 874214 

~l 21 620 (NA) 17 285 (NA) ~l 

1 985 880 38 903 47919 51 249 673 187 925 6945311 7550982 8445 504 232538 3549 4224 4765 158 078 005 1 332931 1 180 719 1 278 489 50 231 1 480 1 387 1 380 120 120 499 1 045 953 1 028877 1 071 340 

1276 19 42 32 11 086 495 44 902 89857 11'5 217 43138 1 282 1 126 1 205 92933845 877797 591 933 704225 

1 130 25 34 30 5537 275 251 636 278 555 135 872 4686 134 185 113 10560884 71 618 68 532 76026 

9145 731 637 574 63 390 805 42850380 43 150 047 42 829 818 

LESSON IV -15 
Table 17. Selected Characteristics of Farms Operated by Females, Persons of Spanish 

Origin, and Specified Racial Groups: 1987 and 1982 

[For meaning of abbreviations and symbols, _ Introducti"y text] 

FARMS AND LAND IN FARMS 

Fanna ____________________________________ number, 1987 __ 

1982 __ land In lanna _______________________________ acte8, 1987 __ 

1982 __ H8IV88Ied croplancL ______________________ !anno, 1987 __ 

11187 FARMS BY SIZE 

1982 __ 

acte8, 1987 __ 1982 __ 

1 to 9 acrea ____________________________________________ _ 

10 to 49 BCf88 __________________________________________ _ 50 to 139 acte8 _________________________________________ _ 140 to 219 aCf88 ________________________________________ _ 

220 to 499 8CI'88 ________________________________________ _ 

500 BCf88 or more ______________________________________ _ 

11187 OWNED AND RENTED LAND 

IN FARMS 

Owned land In lanna _____________________________ lanna __ 

BCf88 __ Rented or 1_ land In farms ____________________ lanna __ 

acres __ 

TENURE OF OPERATOR 

Full ownenL ________________________________ farms, 1987 __ 1982 __ 

8CI'88, 1987 __ 1982 __ Part owne<8 ________________________________ lanna, 1987 __ 

1982 __ 

BCf88, 1987 __ 1982 __ 

Tenants ------------------------____________ Iarms. 1987 __ 

11187 FARMS BY TYPE OF 

ORGANIZATION 

1982 __ acrea. 1987 __ 1982 __ 

Individual or lamlly (aole pm;>rietorahlp) ____________________ _ PartnerahIp _____________________________________________ _ 

Family held COfPO<8.tIon __________________________________ _ 

8::~~~_~~---------m-m----m-- InatttuIIonal, etc. ________________________________________ _ 

11187 MARKET VALUE OF 

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS SOLD 

Total aaJea ______________________________________ lanna __ 

$1,000 __ 

Crops, cropa Including 

_ ________________________ nurB8I)' and greenhouM _______________ farms __ 

$1,000 __ livestock, poultry, Bnd their producta _____________ lanna __ 

$1,000 __ 

Farms by value of aaJea: l_ than $2,500 ___________________________________ _ 

$2,500 to $9,999 ____________________________________ _ $10,000 to $19,999 __________________________________ _ 

$20,000 to $24,999 __________________________________ _ $25.000 or more ____________________________________ _ 

11187 FARMS BY STANDARD 

INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION 

Caah grains (011) _______________________________________ _ 

FIeld cropa, exoept cash grains (013) _____________________ _ 

~olg11J2i======================================== Sugarcane and~ beets; Irlah potalo88; fl8Id crops, ex cash grains, n.o.c. (0133, 0134, 01 ) ___________________________________ _ 

V8Q8IabIes and melons (016) ____________________________ _ Fnilta and tree nuta (Oln ________________________________ _ HorUcuItural apecIaJtIea (bI8) _____________________________ _ 

~ ra:~=~ ~~~a.;Im&i------------------ apecIaJtIea (021) _______________________________________ _ 

EIeeI cattle, exoept I_ (0212) ______________________ _ 

5=~~~~==========:================:======= G=~-~~~-~-~~---------------- See lootnotes at end of table. 

Female Openltora 01 

operatora Spani8h origin' 

131 641 121 599 39 690 761 35 358 675 64 022 82 052 6506964 

6 113289 

20 227 35 200 33 632 15003 

15615 

11 964 

122 313 28 663 066 27296 11 007663 

104 345 96 816 19843957 

17 529 211 17 968 16251 16594 843 15 049 433 9328 

8532 3451 961 2780 031 

115300 

11 275 3353 

317 

1396 

131641 

3663 163 

56 473 1 373575 

85 967 2309609 

47663 

41456 

14647 

3899 

23 556 

14528 

15900 959 6995 

7946 

1550 

7934 

3463 

3599 

56 631 46 278 

4882 

4246 

15256 

1854 

17 476 16163 8340701 

8872066 11 141 10564 1 146 619 1 266 975 

3177 

4871 

3251 

1474 

2006 

2697 

15010 4467647 6294 3873064 

11 182 10032 2745 808 2564499 3828 

3877 3999069 

5 101 923 2466 

2274 1 595 824 1 205 644 

15028 

1 802 

600 

111 

137 

17 476 1 080 544 

6040 

732944 

10367 

327600 

6225 

4978 

1829 

479 3968 

1002 

2128 

616 

130 

1 380 

785 2613 

461 

428 

8416 

7046 

361 

193 

918 

193 

Total 

44 640 

54 367 51 974575 52910825 30 940 40 294 2256 492 2981 357 

8567 

14470 

10968 

3701 

3656 

3236 

38 403 46 557 573 

16233 5417 002 

28 407 33 985 43 553 585 42 175419 

9996 

13093 6375531 

9350636 6237 

7309 2045479 

1 364 370 

36 903 

3546 

1 301 

159 

731 

44 640 

2281 232 

22 964 1 750 946 25017 

530 366 

17 223 13672 

4300 

1 166 8279 

4380 

6545 

949 2742 

2854 

2418 

4921 

1 792 1 128 

20 636 15073 

467 

546 

1 335 

454 

Farms operated by Black and o1her rstell 

BIacI< AmerIcan Indian 

22 954 33 250 2636696 

3474573 15294 

24495 

794 377 1 251 466 

3182 

7993 

7263 

2137 

1647 

732 

20 646 1 668 576 8000 

968 320 

14954 

20 695 

1 207980 

1 637799 5694 

8766 1 143 323 1 420 336 2306 

3767 

285 593 416436 

20 961 1 506 

211 

29 

225 

22 954 332444 

10549 

182371 

15073 

150 073 

10882 

7668 

1843 

469 2014 

3150 

4311 

627 2480 

1224 

703 

298 

110 

668 

12593 

8539 

246 

285 

366 

224 

7134 

7211 45 674 156 46 151 992 4298 

4727 

630 597 705378 

902 1 751 1 502 

766 

905 1 308 

6325 42909854 2527 2764 504 

4807 

4701 41 202404 39475354 1 718 1 761 3410055 

6195390 609 

749 1 061 699 461 246 

6228 

432 

90 

11 

375 

7134 273498 

2805 

109 821 5064 

163 677 

2674 

2171 

759 

197 1333 

731 

811 

31 

264 

516 

72 

225 

54 

210 

4197 

3456 

85 

95 

531 

123 

7900 

8000 1 270473 

1 378641 7073 

7112 

523 546 

580 439 

3097 

2710 

1027 

269 

414 

363 

5895 

718179 

3244 

552294 

4656 

4769 

341 642 345812 1 239 

1322 

669970 

600 914 2005 

1909 

236 661 232115 

5954 

968 

814 

89 

75 

7900 1 341 276 

6679 1 222 823 

1 166 116653 

1 363 

1669 

940 

325 3563 

204 

604 

24 

12 

566 

1 230 3214 

1477 92 

750 

457 

49 

106 

150 

24 

Other (_taxi) 

6852 

5906 2393 046 1 905 419 4285 

3980 307972 

324072 

1406 

2016 

1 196 

529 

692 

613 

5535 1261 164 2462 1 131964 

4190 

3600 801 539 716854 1 345 1222 1 132163 

934 194 1 117 

964 456 326 254 571 

5742 

636 

166 

30 

56 

8852 

334 014 

3151 236 031 3872 

97963 

2504 

1968 

656 

175 1349 

295 

819 

267 6 

546 

413 

1 164 

151 

156 

3096 

2619 

107 

60 

266 

63 

16-LESSON IV 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 
Table 17. Selected Characteristics of Farms Operated by Females, Persons of Spanish 

Origin, and Specified Racial Groups: 1987 and 1982-Con. 

[For meaning 01 abbreviations and symbols, _ Introductory text) 

1887 OPERATOR 

CHARACTERISTICS 

0perIlt0r8 On by place 01 residence: farm operated _____________________________________ _ Not on farm operated __________________________________ _ 

Not reported __________________________________________ _ 

~~=~=~:========================== 0perIlt0r8 None by days 01 work off farm: ________________________________________________ _ 

"'r iO -99-ci8Y8===== = === === = === ==== === = == = === = == == == === = 

~ ~99or '::e-==================================== Not reported __________________________________________ _ 

Operators by ye&I8 on pr-.t farm: 

~ 6 ::- to 9 ye&I8 ~ ~====================================:=::= __________________________________________ _ 

10 ye&I8 or mor& ______________________________________ _ 

A-.ge ye&I8 on pr-.t farm _______________________ _ 

Not reported __________________________________________ _ 

Operators Under by age group: 25 ye&I8 _______________________________________ _ 

~ : :: == =:====::==:=====:==:::::=:=::::::=::===== i 70 ye&I8 ~ 5 S and (1VfK ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ _____________________________________ _ 

Average age ________________________________________ _ 

Operators Male _________________________________________________ by eex: _ 

Female ______________________________________________ _ 

0perIlt0r8 01 Spenieh origin' _____________________________ _ 

1887 COMMODITY CREDIT 

CORPORAnONLOANSAND 

GOVERNMENTPAVMENTS 

Amount Corporation raceIved from CommodIIy CredII Ioana _______________________________ farms __ 

Government paymenta raceIved ___________________ $:.:::: 

$1,000 __ 

96 800 24 880 9961 

87 488 84153 

84 308 66 187 10 <405 

11 748 36 034 

9148 

9343 

11263 

21 783 82661 18.1 

26 891 

1 583 10182 

21858 

23 272 14527 

16 n6 14511 

30155 66.6 

(X) 

131 841 

1345 

6087 

118 506 23 170 184 109 

'See chapter 1, table 16 for operators not 01 or not reporting Spenieh origin. 

10361 

6683 

432 

7998 

9478 

5616 

11 080 

2308 

2148 

6823 

760 

1 588 

1 601 3460 

8100 

14.5 

2529 

202 

1742 

3822 

4302 

2284 

2096 

1 416 1 832 

51.9 

16 131 1 345 

17 476 

659 15336 

2223 

31444 

Total 

26 412 13382 

4648 

21 376 23 284 

16329 

26 002 5073 

4696 

16033 

3309 

3130 

3226 

6326 

19132 17.1 

12827 

429 

3591 

7926 

9121 

5084 

5734 

49n 

7797 

55.0 

40 460 4160 

5535 

1 589 19120 

6187 

43 061 

Farms operated by Black and other races 

Black American Indian 

13255 

6488 

3231 

10071 

12683 

8666 

12333 

2426 

2348 

7559 

1 953 

1 195 1 221 2458 

9671 

19.6 

8_ 

172 1261 

3309 

4265 

2574 

3000 

2965 

5368 

57.9 

20 901 2053 

96 

1065 

6465 

4115 

16533 

5033 

1462 

649 

3103 

4031 

2189 

4505 

704 

880 2921 

490 

537 1 105 3161 

16.0 

1 821 

99 

784 1 553 1 782 

607 

n6 

560 

793 

51.5 

6326· 

606 

150 

246 3126 

966 6 nl 

4510 

2794 

596 

5265 

2835 

3542 

3722 

912 

800 2010 

636 

721 

726 

1 446 3599 

16.1 

1 407 

66 

731 1 483 1 394 

910 1 279 

997 

1036 

54.1 

7058 

642 

126 

109 3148 

488 8705 

3614 

2666 

370 

2937 

3715 

1 930 4442 

1 031 

666 2543 

260 

724 

739 1 318 2661 

13.0 

1 190 

89 

835 1 583 1 660 

n3 

879 

415 

596 

48.9 

6193 

458 

5182 

170 4360 

820 9052 

1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE LESSON IV-17 
Table 25. Cattle and Calves-Inventory: 1987 and 1982 

[For meaning of abbreviations and symbols. see Introductory text] 

1987 1982 

Item 

Farms Number Farms Number 

Cattle and calves ______________________________________________ _ 1 176346 95847299 1 354 982 104 476 827 Farms wiIh- 1 to 9 ____________________________________________________ _ 212947 1 132167 254 421 1 360 733 10 to 19 __________________________________________________ _ 209563 2899513 241 460 3341 616 20 to 49 __________________________________________________ _ 328 798 10 275 635 373306 11 754 263 60 to 99 __________________________________________________ _ 208 810 14412562 242418 16754 631 100 to 199 ________________________________________________ _ 130 137 17497300 147714 19 768 970 200 to 499 ________________________________________________ _ 500 68 023 19121471 72272 20 797 810 to 999 ________________________________________________ _ 14904 9681 998 15750 10427720 1.000 to 2.499 ____________________________________________ _ 5848 1I 043 581 5892 8335715 2.500 or more _____________________________________________ _ 1 736 12 563 094 1739 11 944 249 

Cows and he~ers that had calved _____________________________ _ 997879 41 737 290 1 163 892 45052497 Farms wiIh- 1 to 9 __________________________________________________ _ 282585 1 385 749 354435 1 635068 10 to t 8-_______________________________________________ _ 207763 2836462 233 872 3 183213 20 to 49 ________________________________________________ _ 268980 8893980 327 159 10121 245 50 to 99 ________________________________________________ _ 135744 9002077 160 177 9914568 100 to 199 ______________________________________________ _ 55 463 7218251 58 258 7545 198 ?oo to 499 ______________________________________________ _ 23 293 6560417 23 785 6859158 500 to 999 ______________________________________________ _ 4426 2884009 4576 2958 008 1.000 or more ___________________________________________ _ 1615 2978325 1630 3036041 

Beef oows ________________________________________________ _ 841 778 31 652593 957698 34 202 607 

Farms wiIh- 1 to 9 ________________________________________________ _ 268 980 1 318423 330440 1 554 630 10 to 19 ______________________________________________ _ 195899 2681 281 216615 2928 970 20 to 49 ______________________________________________ _ 225996 6782 582 247492 7414029 50 to 99 ______________________________________________ _ 87763 5823407 96 408 6377 958 100 to 199 ____________________________________________ _ 39754 5 168 789 42375 5605907 200 to 498 ____________________________________________ _ 18677 5259836 19405 5431 807 500 to 999 ____________________________________________ _ 3463 2241 057 3679 2372983 1.000 or more _________________________________________ _ 1 246 2377 218 1 384 2616525 

Milk oows _________________________________________________ _ 202068 10084697 277 762 10849890 

Farms wiIh- 1 to 4 ________________________________________________ _ 42394 70268 81 563 129 809 5 to 9 ________________________________________________ _ 7468 49904 11 128 74813 10 to 29 ______________________________________________ _ 35902 707300 52836 1 030447 30 to 49 ______________________________________________ _ 47628 1 821 675 59420 2252255 60 to 98 ______________________________________________ _ 46 317 3 173 173 63 341 3474898 100 to 199 ____________________________________________ _ 14836 1 895618 14809 1 851 518 200 to 499 ____________________________________________ _ 4263 1 187307 4014 1 114460 500 or more ___________ • ______________________________ _ 1 268 1 179 432 1 052 921891 

He~ers and ha~er calves _____________________________________ _ 905635 28 379 461 1 073631 28884263 Steers. steer calves. bulls. and bull calves _____________________ _ 963 998 27730 528 1 160 443 30 739 047 

*u.s. Government Print ing Office: 1990-748-034/00422 

1S-LESSON IV 1987 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 


Bureau of the Census 

Washmgton. DC 20233 

Dear Lesson Plan Recipient: 

c~ JUll 61990 

OFFf££ DIRECTOR OF £lTfPI 

Thank you for your interest in the Lesson Plans from the census of agriculture. The 

plans are developed using results from the most recent census. They can help you 

acquaint students with changes in our Nations agriculture, broaden the student 

awareness of how far-reaching agriculture is in our Nation, and introduce those 

going on to higher education in agriculture to a marvelous source of data for their 

research - the census of agriculture. We are enclosing a copy of the current Lesson 

Plans for your use. 

The Lesson Plans contains four lessons. For your convenience in reproducing the 

lessons, tables, and graphics, we did not bind the Lesson Plans. 

We are interested in your comments and suggestions about the Lesson Plans. Write 

to: 

Quentin Coleman 

Room 436, Iverson Mall 

Agriculture Division 

Bureau of the Census 

Washington, D.C. 20233 

Thank you for including the census of agriculture in your instructional planning. If 

you have any questions, please call Quentin Coleman at 301/763-8561. 

Sincerely, 

DOUGLAS J. MILLER 

Chief, Data Requirements and Outreach Branch 

Agriculture Division 

Bureau of the Census 

Enclosure 


o