Economic Importance of Livestock to NC

Livestock in NCNotable Areas of livestock production in NC

HogsBroilersTurkeysBeef Cattle (some)

Livestock in NCHelps provide jobs and increases tax base.

Selection Breeding Feeding Care Marketing

Economics

Economic Importance

Income from livestock, poultry and their products is about twice that from all crops in North Carolina.

Economic Importance: Broilers

Income from broilers is about $2.6 billion per year.More consumption due to health concernsBroilers are cheaper to raise and require less

space Typically raised with a vertical integration contract

Vertical Integration: two or more steps of production are linked together

Economic Importance: Hogs

Income from hogs is about $2.5 billion per year. Eastern NC is an ideal area for swine production No hog farms in Western NC There are fewer swine farms, but larger in size than

10 years ago Most farms are contract farms

They grow for a specific producer or market Sometimes vertical integration

Economic Importance: Turkeys

Income from turkeys is about $775,000 dollars.The broad breasted white is the ideal turkey for

our area They adapt well to our climate Most are raised through artificial insemination

Economic Importance: Cattle

Income from cattle is about $275,000 per year.This include only beefDairy farms are dwindling in North Carolina Dairy cows are more suited for cooler, constant climates

Johnston County Stats

Total acres in the county: 506,377Number of farm acres: 194,090Average farm size: 156 acresAverage age of farmer: 52

Johnston County Stats – Highest Crops

Sweet PotatoesAcres: 8,600Production: 1,600,000Rank: 2

Johnston County Stats – Highest Crops

Flue-Cured TobaccoAcres: 10,800Production: 22,690,000Rank: 2

Johnston County Stats – Highest Crops

Soybeans Acres: 55,600Production: 1,195,000Rank: 12

Johnston County Stats – Highest Crops

Nursery-Greenhouse Production Acres: n/aProduction: 15,842,000Rank: 14

Johnston County Stats – Highest Yielding LivestockHogs and Pigs

Number: 175,000Rank: 13

Johnston County Stats – Highest Yielding LivestockTurkeys

Number: 305,000Rank: 14

Johnston County Stats – Highest Yielding LivestockBroilers

Number: 11,300,000Rank: 20

Johnston County Stats – Highest Yielding LivestockCattle

Number: 11,100Rank: 25

Johnston County Stats – Highest Yielding LivestockLayers

Number: 72,000Rank: 27

Johnston County Stats

Total Average Cash Receipts Livestock, Dairy and Poultry: $82,616,000, rank: 22

Crops: $32,385,000, rank: 34

Total (with government payments): $123,165,731, rank: 25