Small commercial farms accounted for a considerable share of production for some commodities

Despite the declining numbers of small commercial farms (those with annual gross cash income between $10,000 and $249,999), their production is substantial and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. In 2007, small commercial farms accounted for 22 percent of all U.S. farm production, or approximately $65 billion. Small commercial farms accounted for a considerable share of production for some commodities: 55 percent of poultry, 40 percent of hay, 37 percent of other livestock (largely grazing animals other than cattle), and 30 percent of tobacco, a crop with a long history of production on small farms. In addition, small farms' share of beef production-largely from cow/calf or stocker enterprises-and grain and soybean production was similar to their 22-percent share of all production. This chart appeared in the September 2010 issue of Amber Waves magazine.