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Livestock Farming

American farming has changed drastically in the last century. What it looks like today.

Feb. 13, 2025Updated Feb. 14, 2025, 9:52 a.m. ET
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, U.S. agriculture and rural life underwent a tremendous transformation in the 20th century. Early 20th century agriculture was labor intensive, and it took place on many small, diversified farms in rural areas where more than half the U.S. population lived. Agricultural production in the 21st century, on the other hand, is concentrated on a smaller number of large, specialized farms in rural areas where less than a fourth of the U.S. population lives.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, U.S. agriculture and rural life underwent a tremendous transformation in the 20th century. Early 20th century agriculture was labor intensive, and it took place on many small, diversified farms in rural areas where more than half the U.S. population lived. Agricultural production in the 21st century, on the other hand, is concentrated on a smaller number of large, specialized farms in rural areas where less than a fourth of the U.S. population lives.
Jessica Phelps/The Advocate, Jessica Phelps/The Advocate
The number of U.S. farms continues slow decline - After peaking at 6.8 million farms in 1935, the number of U.S. farms fell sharply until the early 1970s. Rapidly falling farm numbers during the earlier period reflected growing productivity in agriculture and increased nonfarm employment opportunities. Since 1982, the number of U.S. farms has continued to decline, but much more slowly.
The number of U.S. farms continues slow decline - After peaking at 6.8 million farms in 1935, the number of U.S. farms fell sharply until the early 1970s. Rapidly falling farm numbers during the earlier period reflected growing productivity in agriculture and increased nonfarm employment opportunities. Since 1982, the number of U.S. farms has continued to decline, but much more slowly.
Michelle Pemberton, IndyStar/USA TODAY Network
Productivity growth is the major driver of U.S. agricultural output growth - Technological developments in agriculture have been influential in driving changes in the farm sector. Innovations in animal and crop genetics, chemicals, equipment, and farm organization have enabled continuing output growth without adding much to inputs.
Productivity growth is the major driver of U.S. agricultural output growth - Technological developments in agriculture have been influential in driving changes in the farm sector. Innovations in animal and crop genetics, chemicals, equipment, and farm organization have enabled continuing output growth without adding much to inputs.
Alton Strupp, Courier Journal /USA TODAY Network
U.S. gross cash farm income to increase in 2025 - Gross cash farm income (GCFI) is annual income before expenses and includes cash receipts, farm-related income, and Government farm program payments. In inflation-adjusted 2025 dollars, GCFI is forecast at $609.4 billion in 2025, versus $432.5 billion in 2004, with the increase across time primarily due to higher cash receipts.
U.S. gross cash farm income to increase in 2025 - Gross cash farm income (GCFI) is annual income before expenses and includes cash receipts, farm-related income, and Government farm program payments. In inflation-adjusted 2025 dollars, GCFI is forecast at $609.4 billion in 2025, versus $432.5 billion in 2004, with the increase across time primarily due to higher cash receipts.
Ty Wright, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK
U.S. net farm income to increase in 2025 after a decline in 2024 - Gross farm income reflects the total value of agricultural output plus Government farm program payments. Net farm income (NFI) reflects income after expenses from production in the current year and is calculated by subtracting farm expenses from gross farm income. NFI considers cash and non-cash income and expenses and accounts for changes in commodity inventories.
U.S. net farm income to increase in 2025 after a decline in 2024 - Gross farm income reflects the total value of agricultural output plus Government farm program payments. Net farm income (NFI) reflects income after expenses from production in the current year and is calculated by subtracting farm expenses from gross farm income. NFI considers cash and non-cash income and expenses and accounts for changes in commodity inventories.
Shawn Dowd, Democrat And Chronicle /USA TODAY Network
Corn, soybeans accounted for nearly half of U.S. crop cash receipts in 2023 - Crop cash receipts totaled $267.4 billion in calendar year 2023. Receipts from corn and soybeans accounted for $132.0 billion (49.4 percent) of the total.
Corn, soybeans accounted for nearly half of U.S. crop cash receipts in 2023 - Crop cash receipts totaled $267.4 billion in calendar year 2023. Receipts from corn and soybeans accounted for $132.0 billion (49.4 percent) of the total.
Zach Boyden-Holmes, The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
Cattle/calf receipts comprised the largest portion of U.S. animal/animal product receipts in 2023 - Cash receipts for animals and animal products totaled $249.6 billion in calendar year 2023. Cattle/calf receipts accounted for $101.1 billion (40.5 percent) of that total, while poultry and eggs receipts accounted for $67.1 billion (26.9 percent), and dairy receipts accounted for $45.9 billion (18.4 percent).
Cattle/calf receipts comprised the largest portion of U.S. animal/animal product receipts in 2023 - Cash receipts for animals and animal products totaled $249.6 billion in calendar year 2023. Cattle/calf receipts accounted for $101.1 billion (40.5 percent) of that total, while poultry and eggs receipts accounted for $67.1 billion (26.9 percent), and dairy receipts accounted for $45.9 billion (18.4 percent).
Mike De Sisti, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
Most farms are small, but large farms account for the largest share of production value - Gross cash farm income (GCFI) includes income from commodity cash receipts, farm-related income, and Federal Government payments. Family farms of various types together accounted for 96 percent of U.S. farms in 2023.
Most farms are small, but large farms account for the largest share of production value - Gross cash farm income (GCFI) includes income from commodity cash receipts, farm-related income, and Federal Government payments. Family farms of various types together accounted for 96 percent of U.S. farms in 2023.
SHAWN DOWD/MAX SCHULTE, Rochester Democrat And Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK
Most farmers receive off-farm income; small-scale operators depend on it - Median total household income among all farm households ($97,984) exceeded the median total household income for all U.S. households ($80,610) in 2023. Median household income and income from farming increased with farm size and most households earned some income from off-farm employment. Small family farms account for 86 percent of total farms, with gross cash farm income less than $350,000.
Most farmers receive off-farm income; small-scale operators depend on it - Median total household income among all farm households ($97,984) exceeded the median total household income for all U.S. households ($80,610) in 2023. Median household income and income from farming increased with farm size and most households earned some income from off-farm employment. Small family farms account for 86 percent of total farms, with gross cash farm income less than $350,000.
Daniella Heminghaus, Bucks County Courier Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
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