STRICTLY BUSINESS: STATE HAS `BRAGGING RIGHTS' FOR FARMING

Missouri keeps its bragging rights as one of the nation's leading agriculture states, according to latest statistics published in the 1997 edition of Missouri Farm Facts.

The state is among the nation's leading purebred livestock producers, ranking second in cattle operations, sixth in turkey productions, seventh in hog numbers and 10th in broiler operations.

Missouri ranks in the top 10 states for producing corn, hay, grain sorghum, soybeans, rice and watermelons, and is second in the number of farms, with 104,000.

"Missouri has always boasted one of the most diverse and prosperous agriculture industries in the nation," said John L. Saunders, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

The state, said Saunders, is blessed with fertile soils, hilly and wooded areas for timber and pasture, and favorable weather for growing fruits and vegetables.

The varying topography produces everything from grapes to hay and pasture land for Missouri's beef, dairy cattle and other livestock.

According to the publication, the annual compilation of agriculture figures, Missouri's crop and livestock production provided more than $4.95 billion to the state's economy in 1996. Crop production accounted for 51 a percent of the state's cash receipts. The other 49 percent was derived from livestock and related products.

Soybeans largest crop

The production of soybeans -- Missouri's largest cash crop -- thrives throughout the state. The top four counties in soybean production are in Southeast Missouri, led by Mississippi County with more than 5 million bushels a year. The next three leading counties are New Madrid, Pemiscot and Stoddard.

Stoddard County is the leading corn-producing county. Also in the top six counties are Mississippi, fourth; Scott, fifth; and New Madrid, sixth.

The Southeast Missouri area is also a leader in wheat production, with Stoddard, New Madrid and Pemiscot the top three counties. Other area counties in the top 10 include Mississippi and Scott, fifth and sixth, and Dunklin, 10th.

And, on and on it goes.

New Madrid County is the leader in sorghum production, with Stoddard and Mississippi in the third and fourth position. Also in the top 10 counties are Butler, seventh; Dunklin, ninth; and Scott, 10th.

The majority of cotton is raised in the Bootheel counties. Dunklin, New Madrid and Pemiscot account for 80 to 85 percent of total cotton acreage each year. Other cotton-producing counties, all in Southeast Missouri, are Butler, Mississippi, Scott, and Stoddard.

Rice production is also centered in the Southeast Missouri area, with Butler and Stoddard the two biggest producers, followed by New Madrid County. Other rice-producing counties include Dunklin, Ripley and Pemiscot.

Second in beef cows

Missouri is the second leading state in the number of beef cows, 2.2 million, with annual sales of beef cattle and calves at almost $1 billion. Missouri has 62,000 beef cattle farms.

The average beef cow herd in the state is 36, said Steve Taylor of the Missouri Beef Industry Council in Jefferson City. The state has about 12 million acres of pastureland and 3.5 million acres of hay.

Every county in Southeast Missouri raises beef cattle. About 25,000 are raised in Cape Girardeau County. Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties each have about 13,000 to 14,000 beef cattle.

The majority of beef operations are in the central and southwest portions of the state, headed by Lawrence County and Texas County, each with more than 45,000 head.

Annual sales of beef cattle and calves in Missouri amounts to nearly $1 billion.

Missouri dairy cattle operations have declined over the past five years, from 7,500 dairy farms in 1991 to about 4,500 in 1996. Cattle numbers decreased 10,000 cows during the past year, from 195,000 to about 185,000.

Eighth in dairy operations

Missouri still ranks eighth, nationally, in dairy operations. The state produces about 2.7 billion gallons of milk a year. It ranks 13th in ice cream, at 16.6 million gallons.

Wright County heads all counties with 16,650 head, followed by Webster County, at 12,500 head.

The Southeast Missouri area has fewer than 5,000 milk cows in its 12-county area, with more than 3,000 of those in Cape Girardeau County. Some Bootheel counties -- Butler, Dunklin, Madison, Pemiscot, New Madrid, Mississippi -- have no noticeable population of dairy cows. Perry County is second in the area, with from 1,500 to 1,700 cows. Ste. Genevieve County statistics show about 250 milk cows, Scott County, 300 and Stoddard County about 150.

Interesting farm facts

The new Missouri Farm Facts 1997 publication also provides some other interesting agriculture facts:

-- Five percent of the U.S. farms are in Missouri.

-- Six percent of U.S. soybeans area grown in Missouri.

-- Missouri is the second leading state in beef cows.

-- Missouri is the second leading state in hay production.

-- Missouri is the second leading state in number of total farms.

-- Missouri is the sixth in rice production.

-- Missouri is the ninth leading state in watermelon production

-- Missouri is the 10th in cotton production.

-- Missouri is the 12th in corn production.

The farm facts publication is a valuable tool for farmers, educators, agribusiness and people involved in the agriculture industry, said Saunders.

The 1997 edition also includes a supplement on the state's largest cash crop -- soybeans.

"This (supplement) is something new," said Saunders. "Each year, we plan to provide an in-depth look at one of the state's varied agriculture commodities, while continuing to provide a meaningful summary of the state's agricultural statistics and the Missouri Department of agriculture's annual report."

The new Farm Facts publication is free to the public. Copies are available by calling (573)-751-4645.

B. Ray Owen is business editor of the Southeast Missourian.