Special to Wesson News
Mississippi’s agriculture industry remains vibrant with an overall production value estimated at $9 billion, despite a drop in row crop prices.
Poultry is again the number one sector of the agricultural industry with a value of $3.8 billion, up 10.5 percent from 2023. A rebound in broiler production in 2024 contributed to the commodity’s stronger showing over last year.
Forestry holds second place with a $1.5 billion value, holding steady from 2023.
Soybeans ranked third with a value of $1.3 billion. Although soybean yield is expected to tie last year’s record at 56 bushels per acre, the crop saw a 22 percent drop in value from last year. Livestock, which includes beef cattle, dairy cattle and hogs, ranked fourth overall behind soybeans, with a value of $578 million, a 14 percent increase from 2023.
With more rain for non-irrigated acres, soybean yield could possibly have hit a new record. Irrigation helps protect yield during drought years but advancing science and crop management are also important factors.
Cotton is the second most valuable row crop with an estimated value of $496 million, a gain of 34 percent from 2023, which is attributed to an increase in acreage. Cotton producers planted 520,000 acres -- up almost 30 percent from 2023. Yield is estimated at 1,118 pounds of lint per acre, an 8.3 percent increase. Corn is valued at $374 million, a decline of 50%, as a result of decreased acreage and lower prices. Producers harvested about 580,000 acres this year, down from 790,000 acres in 2023. Although yield was better this year, prices are down over $1 compared to last year Each year corn and cotton trade acres so that is why one commodity is higher and the other lower year over year.
The value of catfish declined 18 percent from last year, landing that commodity in seventh place with a value of $214 million. Mississippi still leads the nation in catfish production with 29,000 acres. That is twice as many acres as Arkansas and Alabama, which round out the nation’s top three catfish producing states. Multiple challenges, including marketing difficulties, high operating costs and decreased prices, have led to slight decreases in Mississippi’s catfish acreage in the last several years.
Among other commodities in the state, hay is valued at $171 million, up 13 percent and rice production value is $168 million, a gain of 20 percent due to a rise in acreage. Sweet potatoes are valued at $82 million, a 10 percent decline from 2023. Peanut producers harvested 25,500 acres, 30 percent more than last year. Wheat value plunged 41 percent to $19 million.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Excerpted from Mississippi State University Extension Service report.
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