The number of farms and land in farms were down slightly, but held steady. Additionally, agriculture is becoming more diverse. The census reported several historic changes in value of sales for agriculture producers in the U.S.:
  • In 2012, crop sales of $212.4 billion exceeded livestock sales of $182.2 billion. This occurred for only the second time in census history; the other time was 1974.
  • Between 2007 and 2012, per farm average value of sales increased from $134,807 to $187,093, continuing a steady 30-year upward trend. The increase of $52,286 was the largest rise in census history.
Preliminary data from the 2012 census also highlight national and state farm numbers, land in farms and farmer demographics.

Conducted since 1840, the Census of Agriculture accounts for all U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them.Visit the census websiteto view the full report. 
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—From USDA news release