Ag industry is Kansas' largest economic driver

8 Sep 2021


News

(The Center Square) - At the sixth annual Kansas Governor's Summit on Agricultural Growth, industry leaders will be updated about different sectors of Kansas agriculture and discuss growth outcomes.

Scarlett Hagins, vice president of communications at Kansas Livestock Association, said that agriculture is the largest economic driver in Kansas, valued at nearly $70.3 billion, and it employs more than 250,000 people either directly or indirectly. Direct contributions come from agriculture and food products, and indirect contributions come from farms and agricultural businesses purchasing inputs from supporting industries within the state.

"Cattle ranching and related businesses employ nearly 39,000 people and contribute an estimated $8.7 billion to the state's economy," Hagins said. "According to Kansas Agricultural Statistics, the state is home to the third-largest cattle population in the U.S. at 6.5 million head, which is twice the human population. Kansas ranks second in commercial cattle processed and fed cattle marketed. The state also ranks third in the value of beef exported at around $1 billion."

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