USDA releases 2012 Census of Agriculture preliminary data

Preliminary data from the 2012 Census of Agriculture study was released by USDA on Feb. 20.

The results show an increase in the value of agricultural products sold in the United States, rising to $394.6 billion in 2012, up $97.4 billion from 2007. However, the number of farms and farm land decreased slightly over the same five-year span.

For the first time since 1974, and only the second time in history, crop sales ($212.4 billion) exceeded livestock sales ($182.2 billion) in 2012.

The data also showed that principal farm olders are becoming both older and more diverse. The average age of a principal farm operator in 2012 was 58.3, up 1.2 years from 2007. The Census also found more minority-owned farms than in 2007.

The data also shows a decrease in the number of farms in the United States and a decrease in farmland. However, the decline of farm acreage is extremely gradual, falling from 922 million acres in 2007 to 915 million in 2012, a decline of less than one percent and the third smallest decline since 1950. 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in a released statement, pointed to the slight uptick in young farmers as a bright spot in the data. He says the recently approved 2014 Farm Bill should give some incentives to young farmers and create new market opportunities for all producers.

To view the full preliminary report click here.