Missouri farms continue decline

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The number of Missouri farms continued to decrease last year while the average size of a farm rose, according to a report released by the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

In 2003, the state had 106,000 farms, about 1,000 fewer than the previous year. That's the second-biggest loss of farms of any state. Over the past 30 years, Missouri has lost 32,000 farms.

Nationwide, the number of farms is estimated at 2.1 million, a 0.4 percent drop from 2002. The number of farms decreased in 20 states in 2003 and remained unchanged in 28 states, while Mississippi and Montana gained farms.

The report defined a farm as any establishment that sold $1,000 or more of agricultural products during the year.

Average farm size increased to 285 acres in 2003, up three acres from the previous year.

Total land on Missouri farms is estimated at 30.2 million acres, the same as in 2002.