Kentucky Agriculture Top 10

1. Broilers – Chicken meat is Kentucky’s No. 4 ag export, bringing in $160.1 million in 2012. The state’s broiler industry generated $866.6 million in cash receipts that year.

2. Corn – Kentucky farmers harvested enough corn to make 9.23 billion boxes of corn flakes. This commodity can be used as food or fuel, and earned $828.79 million in cash receipts in 2012.

3. Horses and mules – Kentucky’s world-famous equine industry reigns supreme, yet again. Horse sales and stud fees generated $810 million in cash receipts in 2012.

4. Soybeans – This multipurpose crop generated $741.32 million in cash receipts in 2012. Kentucky farmers harvested enough soybeans to produce 88.2 million gallons of biodiesel, or 1.5 gallons per bushel.

5. Cattle and calves – Kentucky is home to 2.15 million cattle, making it the 14th largest cattle state in the nation. Cattle and calves raised in Kentucky generated $656.71 million in cash receipts in 2012.

6. Tobacco – Tobacco, historically one of Kentucky’s most important crops, was harvested from approximately 74,000 acres in 2012. This crop generated $384.88 million in cash receipts. Kentucky ranks second in the nation in pounds of tobacco produced.

7. Dairy products, milk – Cash receipts for Kentucky dairy products totaled $219.58 million in 2012. The state’s Udderly Kentucky campaign is focused on increasing loyalty to state-produced dairy products.

8. Wheat – A single bushel of wheat makes about 42 pounds of pasta. Kentucky’s 2012 wheat crop was enough to produce 1.22 billion pounds of pasta and generate $201.34 million in cash receipts.

9. Hay – Hay production in Kentucky has been steadily increasing over the years. Farmers harvested 2.6 million acres in 2012, up from 2.31 million in 2011, and generated $142.37 million in cash receipts.

10. Chicken eggs – Kentucky chicken eggs are sold fresh or used in numerous value-added products both locally and out of state. Chicken eggs brought in an impressive $116 million in cash receipts in 2012.