Agriculture

Ohio’s #1 Industry
To Your Health!
Beyond the Table
A Growing Economy
Caring for our Resources
Ohio Agricultural Commodity Facts

OHIO’S #1 INDUSTRY

What is Ohio’s #1 industry? Steel? Automobiles? Chemicals? Electronics? Guess again. Ohio’s #1 industry is agriculture. It always has been, and most likely always will be. That’s because we cannot survive without food – and almost the entire food supply comes from agriculture.

At present, there are 78,000 farms in Ohio covering 14.7 million acres of land. An acre is about the size of a football field. It takes the equivalent of 4.8 football fields to clothe and feed an average American family. Ohio is a top producer of livestock, corn and soybeans, and ranks in the top 10 nationally in production of pork, turkey, eggs, Swiss cheese and ice cream.

More than 800 food processing plants – including processors of meat, poultry, dairy and other specialty foods – are headquartered in Ohio.

Ohio agriculture is not only a massive industry, it is also amazingly efficient. For instance, 50 years ago one farmer fed only 19 people. Today, one farmer feeds 129 people – 101 in America and 28 abroad. Furthermore, one acre of Ohio farmland produces an average of 138 bushels of corn, compared to 50 years ago when production was less than half that much.

To meet the growing demand for high-quality food and fiber, farmers may use production practices made better through biotechnology. “Bio-tech” provides farmers with the ability to produce better tasting and more nutritious food for consumers while at the same time protecting the environment.

Keeping Ohio, America and the world fed is a challenging job, since a typical family of four consumes about 5,000 pounds of food per year. Ohio farmers have met this challenge in a highly impressive fashion – and each and every Ohio resident has benefited greatly as a result.

TO YOUR HEALTH!

Ohio farmers make it possible for Ohioans to enjoy a variety of healthful foods. Ohio-raised meat, poultry and dairy products are lower in fat and calories and more nutritious than ever before. For example, since 1963 pork producers have reduced fat and calories in pork by 77% and 53%, respectively.

Ohio farmers have also taken a lot of fat out of production costs. Their outstanding efficiency allows consumers to enjoy a protein-rich diet at an affordable price. The average American consumes 116 pounds of beef and pork, 68 pounds of poultry, 257 eggs, 30 pounds of cheese, 23 gallons of milk, and 68 pounds of oils annually. Yet Americans use only 7% of their annual income for food consumed at home – which is the lowest percentage in the world!

Ohio farmers also take great pride in maintaining the highest quality and safety standards for Ohio agricultural products. New industry standards enforced by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) in meat, poultry and milk inspection programs insure a safe, wholesome food supply. ODA technicians perform thousands of tests on food samples throughout the year to verify quality and safety. Food wholesomeness and quality are checked many times between the farm and the table.

Advancements in biotechnology help farmers provide consumers with healthier, higher quality foods that stay fresh longer, have higher nutrient levels and reduced levels of fat. Ohio farmers and food processors will continue to maintain the quality of their products and protect the safety of consumers. And that’s a safe prediction!

BEYOND THE TABLE

The value of agriculture doesn’t end with food. Livestock and crops are also the source of thousands of other products. For example, almost 400 pounds of a 1,000-pound cow are used for non-food products. It has been said that everything but the moo is used from a cow.

Livestock by-products are especially important in the field of medicine. Products from cattle are used in medications that aid in the treatment of arthritis, allergies, anemia and many other illnesses.

In some cases, livestock organs are literally lifesavers! The hog heart valve is so similar to the human heart valve that it is often used in medical transplants.

Since the first such operation in 1971, tens of thousands of hog heart valves have been successfully implanted in human recipients. And insulin derived from both cattle and hogs is used to treat diabetics.

Other livestock by-products are less dramatic, but nevertheless make important contributions to our everyday lives. These include china, combs, glue, sports equipment, fabrics, crayons, chalk, photographic film, paint, paint brushes, candles, cosmetics, floor wax, plastics and rubber.

Grain crop products are also important. For example, corn and soybeans are used to produce cooking oils, animal feeds, printer’s ink, diapers, sweeteners, plastics and fuels (ethanol and biodiesel) that are beneficial to the environment and promote energy security.

Advancements in genetic engineering have resulted in new antibodies for immunizations being produced from plants and animals. Other agricultural research has led to surgical techniques and pharmaceuticals that help maintain healthy lifestyles. Agriculture will play a vital role in developing additional products in the future that will continue to enhance our quality of life. Clearly, Ohio farmers bring a lot to the table besides food!

A GROWING ECONOMY

By raising livestock and growing crops, Ohio farmers also help raise living standards contributing to economic growth!

To begin with, Ohio agriculture contributes almost $80 billion per year to Ohio’s economy. That represents a massive “cash infusion” that flows into every segment of our economy. The production, processing, packaging and distribution of agricultural products require the support of a vast array of businesses and services that provide everything necessary to move products to consumers. This multiplier effect means that a dollar spent in the community for agriculture and related activities circulates many times in the form of other goods and services.

Agriculture also creates jobs. One of every six Ohioans – more than 1 million people – depend directly on agriculture-related industries for employment. For example, there are many steps in bringing food from the farm to the kitchen. This includes jobs in growing and harvesting crops and raising and caring for livestock. Beyond the farm many Ohioans are employed in food and fiber processing, distribution, marketing, retail and food service. When these employees spend their paychecks, every Ohio resident benefits.

Through further processing, value is added to Ohio’s raw commodities and products are made that can be distributed throughout our nation and the world. Adding value to products creates additional income and employment opportunities. Incorporating technological advances into Ohio’s agricultural system assures consumers of receiving the highest quality products available.

In addition, agribusinesses and farms make important investments in the economies of our communities, state and nation through the payment of taxes, licensing fees, interest, utility bills and more.

When farmers raise livestock and grow crops, the economy grows as well!

CARING FOR OUR RESOURCES

Livestock and land are farmers’ most valuable assets – so they work hard to protect and preserve both.

To combat soil erosion, farmers willingly participate in soil conservation programs. Many use the no-till process to conserve the soil and reduce sedimentation in streams. Farmers protect the environment through careful control and management of manure and chemicals. They also comply with stringent application and storage regulations.

Planting crops improved through biotechnology allows farmers to produce commodities that protect the environment by reducing the frequency and amount of pesticides applied.

To maintain the health of their livestock, farmers utilize production methods based on animal science research, veterinary science and their own practical experience. They use computers to keep records on individual animals and to monitor their health, nutrition and well being. Routine health exams and vaccinations, as recommended by veterinarians, also insure optimal animal health. As a result of these efforts, Ohio consumers enjoy consistently high quality meat, dairy and poultry products.

In addition, livestock are natural recyclers. They consume food that is not edible by humans and turn it into food and fiber that people can use. Ohioans also benefit from corn and soy-based fuels, which are cleaner burning and a renewable resource. Inks made from agricultural commodities improve air quality and are also recyclable and renewable.

Ohio is blessed with an abundance of natural resources – and Ohio agriculture is dedicated to preserving them.

OHIO AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY FACTS

BEEF: Ohio ranks eleventh in the nation in the number of cattle farms and produces more than 426 million pounds of beef per year. Annual farm cash receipts from the sale of Ohio cattle and calves is more than $289 million. Beef is 27% leaner than a decade ago and is the most often ordered meat in restaurants. There are currently 19 cuts of beef that meet the government’s labeling guidelines for lean or extra lean. Beef by-products include blood plasma, brake fluids, adhesives for bandages and photographic film.

PORK: Ohio ranks ninth in the nation in pork production and fourth in the nation for the number of hog farms. Annual farm cash receipts from the sales of hogs total nearly $400 million. Since 1982 pork has become 43% lower in fat and calories as a result of improved breeding and feeding techniques. Pork is the most widely consumed meat in the world. Eight pork cuts are under 200 calories. Hog by-products include insulin, suede, bone china, chalk and crayons. Pigskin is also used to treat human burn victims.

CORN: Ohio ranks sixth in the nation in corn production. The value of Ohio’s annual corn crop is more than $1 billion. Corn can be found in thousands of products – food, drugs, cosmetics and cleansers, just to name a few. Corn is rapidly replacing petroleum in many industrial applications, from plastic containers to clean-burning ethanol. Because corn products are a biodegradable and renewable natural resource, they are better for the environment. From the corn syrup in your soft drink to the cornstarch that makes this paper more printable – corn is all around you!

SOY: Ohio ranks fifth in the nation in soybean production. The value of Ohio’s soybean production is more than $1 billion. Soybeans are used in the production of soy oil and soy flour, which are both ingredients in hundreds of food products ranging from breads and cereals to salad dressings and cooking oil. Industrial uses include biodiesel, lubricants, printing and toner inks, paints, wood adhesives, plasticizers and caulks. Soybean meal is the leading source of protein in livestock feeds.

POULTRY: Ohio ranks second in the nation in egg production and tenth in the nation in turkey production. Chicken, egg, broiler and turkey production in Ohio is valued at more than $600 million. Chicken is the most popular meat in the U.S., offering consumers a low-fat and calorie alternative.

DAIRY: Ohio is the largest U.S. manufacturer of Swiss cheese, second in milk sherbet, sixth in the nation in ice cream manufacturing, and fifth in the total number of dairy manufacturing plants. Ohio ranks fifth nationally with just under 4,000 dairy farm operations, and eleventh in total milk production. The value of milk produced in Ohio is nearly $600 million per year, and this does not take into consideration the vast number of jobs created in dairy product processing, distribution and retail. Today’s modern dairy case continues to expand as it offers consumers a wide variety of delicious products, including lowfat products that provide more than 75 percent of the calcium in the American food supply. That’s one reason why it is imperative that we continually ask if you got milk?®

LAMB: Ohio ranks third in the nation in the number of sheep farms and is the largest sheep producing state east of the Mississippi River. The value of sheep and lamb production in Ohio is more than $8 million annually. The sheep industry provides Ohio residents with a luxurious fiber and delicious meat selections. Lamb provides a lean and nutritious alternative for today’s health conscious consumer. Lamb by-products include lanolin, insulation, tennis balls, industrial oils and lubricants.