Idaho's Top Farm Commodities: A Shifting Landscape
- Cattle and calves surpassed dairy as Idaho's top farm commodity for the first time in over two decades in 2025, earning a substantial $3.9 billion.
- Dairy, previously the leading commodity since 2003, brought in over $3.8 billion in the same year.
- The shift is attributed to record beef cattle prices and the increasing value of dairy cross calves.
IDAHO FALLS — According to a 2025 report by the Department of Agriculture, Idaho's cattle and calf market took the top spot, narrowly beating dairy.
The report reveals Idaho's agricultural revenue:
- Cattle and calf market: $3.9 billion (a 17% increase from 2024)
- Dairy products and milk: $3.8 billion
The University of Idaho credits "record beef cattle prices" for the rise, with a portion attributed to the high-value dairy cross calves. This practice has gained popularity due to rising beef prices.
Despite the growth, the Idaho beef cow inventory faced a 4% decline in 2024, according to the university. The USDA's concerns over the low U.S. beef herd led to the introduction of the Ranchers First initiative.
Expectations for 2026 and Beyond:
- The University of Idaho predicts milk production revenues will reclaim the top spot in 2026 or 2027.
- Livestock cash receipts have consistently outperformed crop cash receipts since 2001, with a significant gap in 2025 of over $4.3 billion.
Top Agricultural Commodities in Idaho (2025):
- Milk, cattle and calves, and other livestock: 68% of total agricultural cash receipts.
- Potatoes: $1.1 billion (a slight decrease from the previous year).
- Wheat: $518 million (a 15% decrease from 2024).
- Sugar beets: $460 million (a 2% decrease).
For detailed insights, refer to the USDA's full report and the University of Idaho's financial condition of agriculture report.