Beef Boom Pushes Cattle Past Dairy as Idaho’s Top Agricultural Commodity in 2025
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EDITOR’S NOTE: “From the Field” is a weekly feature bringing you the latest agriculture news in eastern Idaho.
IDAHO FALLS — For the first time in more than two decades, cattle and calves surpassed dairy as Idaho’s top farm commodity in 2025.
Key Findings from USDA Report
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its Farm Income and Wealth Statistics report on September 3, which lists the gross revenue farmers and ranchers receive from agricultural product sales.
- Idaho’s cattle and calf market earned approximately $3.9 billion in cash receipts in 2025, marking a 17% increase from $3.3 billion in 2024.
- This revenue slightly beat out the dairy product and milk sector, which came in at number two with over $3.8 billion.
Drivers of the Shift
The dairy market has been Idaho’s top ag commodity since 2003, according to a report from the University of Idaho (U of I). However, the rise in cattle and calves is primarily attributed to:
- Record beef cattle prices: The U of I notes a significant increase in the cattle and calf sector.
- Impact of high-value beef on dairy cross calves: As beef prices climbed, the practice of breeding dairy cows with beef bulls to produce high-value cross calves became more common.
Recent Trends and Future Projections
While cash receipts from cattle and calves have been steadily growing since 2020, Idaho’s beef cow inventory fell by 4% in 2024, according to U of I. The USDA reported a 75-year low in the American beef herd and launched the Ranchers First initiative to support the industry.
The U of I predicts that:
- Revenues from milk production will likely reclaim their position as the highest agricultural commodity in Idaho in 2026 or 2027.
- Statewide, milk, cattle and calves, and other livestock accounted for 68% of total agricultural cash receipts in 2025.
Top Agricultural Commodities in 2025 (by revenue)
- Livestock (cattle and calves): $3.9 billion
- Dairy products and milk: Over $3.8 billion
- Potatoes: $1.1 billion (slight decline from 2024)
- Wheat: Approximately $518 million (15% decrease from 2024)
- Sugar beets: $460 million (2% decrease from 2024)
Related Events
- Idaho Fall Water Summit: The Idaho Department of Water Resources and Boise State University will host this two-day event on November 17 and 18 at Boise State University. It will focus on Idaho’s water landscape, particularly the effects of the snow drought of 2025.