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Kentucky

State Quick Facts

Population
4,505,836

Total State GDP
$237,182,000,000

State Land Area (Acres)
25,271,040

Land in Forest (Acres)
12,367,220

Land in Forest
49%

Land in Farms (Acres)
12,900,000

Land in Farms
51%

Number of Farms
74,100

Average Farm Size (acres)
174

Farm Real Estate Value (per acre) 
$4,350

Agricultural Cash Receipts 
$6,853,469,000

Cash Receipts from Crops 
$3,323,259,000

Cash Receipts from Animals 
$3,530,210,000

Top Ag. Commodities

Corn
  $1,219,174,000

Soybeans
  $1,156,349,000

All Other Animals and Products
  $1,107,318,000

Broilers
  $1,028,409,000

Cattle and Calves
  $878,552,000

Top Ag. Exports

Other Livestock Products
  $786,268,134

Soybeans
  $652,239,889

Corn
  $319,438,984

Tobacco
  $224,564,722

Feeds and Other Feed Grains
  $217,789,785

Kentucky Economic Contribution and Impact Research

In 2021, Kentucky generated around $6.9 billion in agricultural cash receipts with the highest valued commodities being corn, soybeans, all other animals and products. That same year, the value of Kentucky’s agricultural production and processing industries represented 6.8 percent of total state GDP. Some of the dollars generated by these industries end up being re-spent within the local economy, bringing additional value to the state through “multiplier effects.” Economic impact and contribution studies measure these effects, which can be broken down into direct, indirect, and induced economic effects.

Websites, reports, fact sheets, and articles related to the economic impacts and contributions of Kentucky’s food, fiber, and forest industries can be found below.

Websites:

Information related to Kentucky’s food, fiber, and forest industries can be found by visiting the following website(s):

Contribution and Impact Research Documents:

The following are current and historical studies, fact sheets, and articles related to Kentucky’s food, fiber, and forest industries.  These can be viewed and/or downloaded by clicking the images or links below:

Research Documents of Kentucky 2021- Fact Sheet- Meat Fuels America, 2016
Research Documents of Kentucky 2021- Fact Sheet- Poultry Feeds America, 2020
Research Documents of Kentucky 2020- Fact Sheet- Feeding the Economy, 2019
Research Documents of Kentucky 2018 – Fact Sheet – The Animal Feed and Pet Food Manufacturing Industry is Crucial to American Agriculture, Economy
Research Documents of Kentucky 2017 – Brochure – Fayette County Agriculture Value and Economic Impact
Research Documents of Kentucky 2017 – Report – The Influence of the Agricultural Cluster on the Fayette County Economy
Research Documents of Kentucky 2017 – Report – The Influence of the Agricultural Cluster to Woodford County’s Economy
Research Documents of Kentucky 2017 – Report – Kentucky Agricultural Economic Situation and Outlook Summary
Research Documents of Kentucky 2017 – Fact Sheet – AFPA State Industry Economic Impact
Research Documents of Kentucky 2016 – Report – Economic Analysis of Animal Agriculture 2005-2015
Research Documents of Kentucky 2016 – Summary – 2015-2016 Kentucky Agricultural Economic Situation and Output Summary
Research Documents of Kentucky 2016 – Report – Kentucky Forestry Economic Contribution Report
Research Documents of Kentucky 2016 – Fact Sheet – Kentucky Forestry Economic Contribution Summary
Research Documents of Kentucky 2015 – Report – The Importance of Agriculture for Kentucky
Research Documents of Kentucky 2015 – Report – Kentucky Forestry Economic Impact Report
Research Documents of Kentucky 2015 – Report – Agricultural Situation Outlook
Research Documents of Kentucky 2015 – Fact Sheet – AFPA State Industry Economic Impact
Research Documents of Kentucky 2014 – Report – Kentucky Forestry Economic Impact Report
Research Documents of Kentucky 2014 – Fact Sheet – Kentucky Forestry Economic Impact Summary
Research Documents of Kentucky 2013 – Outlook – The Kentucky Agricultural Economic Outlook for 2014

*At present, there is no universally agreed upon standard methodology for producing economic impact or economic contribution reports.  Please exercise caution when viewing and comparing reports as each may vary significantly in terms of source data and analysis and reporting methodology.