Idaho Agriculture: Fast Facts, Exports & Why It Matters

4 min read

Published on

January 29, 2026

Idaho Agriculture: Fast Facts, Exports & Why It Matters

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Why Idaho agriculture matters

Idaho is synonymous with potatoes—but the state’s farm economy is broader and more dynamic than most people realize. From industry-leading barley yields to a resilient community of family farms, Idaho agriculture powers food, feed, and fuel across North America. Below are quick-hit facts you can cite, plus a plain-English breakdown of how those numbers translate into jobs, exports, and everyday products.

Snapshot: the essential facts

Potatoes: Idaho leads the nation, producing about 14 billion pounds on roughly 300,000 acres each year.

Barley: Idaho is #1 in the U.S., typically harvesting about 55 million bushels on ~500,000 acres.

Farms & ranches: 22,877 operations statewide.

Farm income: about $12.1 billion in estimated farm-gate receipts in 2025.

Land base: approximately 5.6 million acres of cropland and 5 million acres of pastureland.

Family farms: at least 94% of Idaho farms are family-owned.

From numbers to impact: how Idaho’s farm economy shows up

Food

Idaho potatoes become table potatoes, fries, chips, dehydrated flakes, and ingredients for packaged foods. Barley supports baking and malt for beverages. Processing plants, cold storage, and packaging companies amplify the value of every acre.

Feed

Barley and its by-products are important ration components for beef and dairy. That demand supports local elevators, trucking firms, and equipment dealers—keeping dollars circulating in rural towns.

Fuel & fiber

Crop rotations that include small grains help protect soil structure and water resources. Barley straw and other residues have emerging industrial and fiber uses, creating new opportunities beyond the bin.

Idaho barley: a quiet powerhouse

While potatoes get the headlines, Idaho’s #1 ranking in barley production matters for supply-chain stability—especially for malt and feed. Reliable volume, agronomic expertise, and storage infrastructure make Idaho a preferred origin for buyers.

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The human side: family farms and rural main streets

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With 94% of operations family-owned, Idaho agriculture is relationship-driven. That translates to long-term stewardship, workforce stability, and local spending on inputs and services. Every strong season supports hardware stores, fuel suppliers, mechanics, and small-town retailers.

Support the producers behind these numbers

Farm Bureau membership is a simple way to back Idaho’s farm and ranch families. Members help advance commonsense ag policy, strengthen rural communities, and expand classroom resources. Many state Farm Bureaus also offer member programs and savings (benefits vary by state).

What membership supports:

Advocacy: grassroots voice on water, land, markets, and transportation.

Education: ag-in-the-classroom, scholarships, and leadership programs.

Community: county Farm Bureaus, service projects, and local events.

Join the Idaho Farm Bureau: https://www.idahofb.org/join-today/

Not in Idaho? Find your state Farm Bureau: https://www.fb.org/about/get-involved

Supporting Idaho Producers With Exclusive Member Benefits

Through our partnership with the Idaho Farm Bureau, we’re proud to support Idaho farmers with tools designed for real-world operations. As part of this partnership, Idaho Farm Bureau members receive exclusive Gripp pricing, helping operations digitize records, streamline daily work, and stay audit-ready—without adding complexity.