Oklahoma and Texas form one of the nation’s most abundant agricultural regions. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, these two states accounted for 8% of total U.S. agricultural sales. The market value of agricultural products from Texas came to $32.2 billion, 6% of U.S. agricultural sales. In Oklahoma, the market value of agricultural sales reached $8.5 billion, 2% of total U.S. agricultural sales.
With a closer look at the latest ag census data, we can better understand the agriculture of the Southern Plains Region. Texas boasted 230,662 farms, ranking first in the nation in total number of farms. In fact, Oklahoma and Texas made up nearly 16% of all farms and 18% of farmland in the U.S.
We couldn’t help but notice that these two states ranked highly in the production of commodities that many people love to have at barbecues and cookouts. For example, in 2022:
- Texas and Oklahoma were number one and two in beef cattle inventory, respectively, both contributing 22% to the national total.
- Texas had the most farms that produced poultry, and Oklahoma ranked third in the number of poultry farms in the nation.
- Texas ranked second in harvested acres for watermelon.
- Wheat, which goes into our hamburger buns (and so much more), requires acres of land to produce. Oklahoma was fourth in harvested wheat acres, and Texas ranked sixth in the nation. Texas also ranked sixth in honey production and harvested acres of onions.
- Our T-shirts are keeping us cooler out there this summer! Texas had the most acres dedicated to cotton harvest in the nation. Oklahoma ranked tenth.
So, thank the Southern Plains farmers and ranchers of Texas and Oklahoma for all the commodities they produce – especially when you're preparing for your next cookout!
Visit our 2022 Census of Agriculture state profile page to learn about more state agriculture data.
