Kansas Agriculture

Kansas has a strong agricultural tradition that predates its statehood, and agriculture continues to be a significant contributor to the state’s economic well-being.

Today, Kansas is a leader in wheat, grain sorghum and beef production. The dairy sector is rapidly expanding in Kansas and other sectors of animal agriculture are growing as well. Farmers and ranchers across the state are responding to demand from consumers to raise healthy, wholesome food and are also continuously striving to do better, raising more food using fewer resources.

Agriculture is a critical part of Kansas’ past, and it is a key economic driver in our present, but it also holds great potential for our future.

Increasingly, agricultural resources provide raw materials for a broad range of nonfood products, such as chemicals, fibers, construction materials, lubricants and fuels. Developing and commercializing biobased and bioenergy products provide new and expanded markets for agricultural feedstocks, it reduces our nation’s dependence on petroleum and other imported materials and it helps diversify agriculture. As the world population grows and as demand for animal protein increases, Kansas farmers and ranchers will play a critical role in feeding Kansas families and families around the world.

Read the 2022 issue of Kansas Agriculture magazine, with features stories about the state’s livestock, crops, agribusiness, food safety and local products.

Kansas Agriculture and Agriculture Related Industries Economic Contribution Report
(Updated August 2023)

International Marketing and Trade Statistics -- July 2023

Learn About Kansas Agriculture

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Who is Kansas Agriculture?
- In 2017, there were 58,569 farms in Kansas, which generated more than $18.7 billion in agricultural output.
- Family-owned farms and ranches are the backbone of Kansas agriculture:
  - 84.6% family
  - 6.2% partnership
  - 5.3% corporation
  - 3.8% other-cooperative, estate or trust, institutional, etc.
- The face of agriculture is changing in Kansas. The average age of the Kansas farmer is 58.1, according to the USDA Census on Agriculture.
- The average size of a Kansas farm is 781 acres.
*Data according to the USDA 2017 Census on Agriculture.
How Does Kansas Agriculture affect the Kansas Economy?
- Agriculture is the largest economic driver in Kansas, with a total contribution of $76 billion to the Kansas economy.
- The agriculture sector in Kansas supports more than 256,000 jobs through direct, indirect and induced effect careers, or about 14% percent of the entire workforce in the state.
- In Kansas, there are 45,759,319 acres of farmland, which accounts for 87.5 percent of all Kansas land. More than 21 million acres in Kansas is harvested for crops and over 14 million is pastureland for grazing animals.
- Agriculture in Kansas is not just about growing crops and raising animals. The Kansas agricultural sector includes renewable energy production, food processing, research and education, agribusiness and more.
- Kansas is part of the animal health corridor. Between Columbia, Missouri and Manhattan, Kansas sits the single largest concentration of animal health interests in the world.
- Click here here for more data and a full report on the estimated impact of agriculture, food and food processing sectors on the Kansas economy.
How do Kansas Agriculture Exports Support the Global Economy?
- Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses are feeding the world. Kansas exported over $5.3 billion in agricultural products in 2021. The leading exports include meat and edible offal, cereals, oil seed, residues and wastes, and beverages, vinegar.
- In 2021, the top ten export markets for Kansas were: Mexico, Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brazil.
- Top five trade partners make up about 90 percent of Kansas agricultural trade.
- In 2021, Kansas exported agriculture commodities to 187 foreign markets around the world.
- Kansas is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of growing populations around the world because of its central location, superior infrastructure, and diverse agricultural sector which produces high quality commodities.
What do Kansas Farmers and Ranchers Grow?
- The top five agricultural products grown or raised in Kansas include:
  - Cattle and Calves
  - Wheat
  - Corn
  - Sorghum
  - Soybeans
- Kansas is a recognized leader in agriculture in the United States.
  - Kansas is ranked first in grain sorghum production, growing almost 64% of the nation's crop.
  - Kansas is ranked second in sorghum for silage production.
  - Kansas leads the nation in winter wheat production, growing 24% of the nation’s crop.
  - Kansas is ranked third in cattle production and beef processing.
  - Kansas is ranked fourth in sunflower production.
- Kansas is quickly becoming the new dairy frontier in the United States. Kansas is the 16^th ranked dairy state for milk production and is home to 173,000 dairy cows on over 210 dairy farms. Milk processing capacity has grown significantly in recent years, with the addition of processing facilities in Rexford, Garden City and Hugoton.
To view Kansas' complete ranking in U.S. Agriculture, click here.
Kansas Farm Facts

Farm Facts is a reliable reference book that contains statistical data on agricultural production, prices, farm income and various other economic figures within the state. Data for this publication is collected through the voluntary cooperation of Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses who responded to surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistic Service (USDA NASS) and the Census of Agriculture.
Farm Facts is an active document that is updated regularly when new facts are released. The information is compiled by the Kansas Department of Agriculture.
Kansas Farm Facts December 2022
Kansas Farm Facts 2021
Kansas Farm Facts 2019
Kansas Farm Facts 2018
Kansas Farm Facts 2017
Kansas Farm Facts 2016
Kansas Farm Facts 2015
Kansas Farm Facts 2015
Kansas Farm Facts 2013
Kansas Farm Facts 2012
Commodity Flow Study

The Kansas Department of Agriculture has published a Kansas Agribusiness Commodity Flow Study, which analyses the movement of crops, livestock, and other agricultural products within and from the state of Kansas. The study was the result of a need identified through KDA’s Ag Growth Strategy project which indicated that multiple sectors across Kansas agriculture would benefit from a thorough understanding of commodity flow both intra and interstate.
The report identifies key value-added processing, market, and demand points while assessing the role and utilization of infrastructure essential to commodity movement. Results from the report include information about net outflows of feed ingredients, the role played by road and rail infrastructure in the agriculture supply chain, and how Kansas leverages strong local synergies to add value in livestock production and processing.
Read the full study: Kansas Agribusiness Commodity Flow Study

If you desire a regional or multi-county economic analysis, these output numbers cannot be added together to get an accurate estimate. To receive a multi-county analysis, please contact AgEconomist@ks.gov.

Click on each county to learn more about agriculture's economic contribution.
Outline Map of Kansas Counties

Kansas Department of Agriculture

Kansas Agriculture

Learn About Kansas Agriculture

Kansas Agriculture

Who is Kansas Agriculture?

How Does Kansas Agriculture affect the Kansas Economy?

How do Kansas Agriculture Exports Support the Global Economy?

What do Kansas Farmers and Ranchers Grow?

To view Kansas' complete ranking in U.S. Agriculture, click here.

Kansas Farm Facts

Commodity Flow Study