Nebraska among leaders in organic farming acres
US - Nebraska ranks among the top 10 organic farming states, according to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
1 February 2007
1 minute read
Nebraska was ninth nationally last year in certified organic crop acres (77,280) and 10th in certified organic pasture acres (17,665).
In organic farming, the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are avoided. Organic farmers largely rely on crop rotation, crop residues, animal manures and mechanical cultivation to maintain soil productivity.
In raising organic livestock, producers do not use feed additives or growth hormones, among other things.
Among the top organic crops in 2005 in Nebraska were grains (37,015 acres), hay (20,625), beans (7,208) and oilseeds (2,381).
Top certified organic crops were wheat (17,948), corn (11,251), soybeans (6,953), alfalfa (8,192) and other hay (12,165).
In Nebraska, the number of certified organic cows was 1,556, including 828 beef cows, 67 dairy cows and 661 other cows.
For the first time, all 50 states had some certified organic farmland last year.
U.S. producers dedicated more than 4 million acres of farmland, 2.3 million acres of cropland and 1.7 million acres of rangeland and pasture to organic production systems in 2005, the report said.
Leading the nation in certified organic cropland was California (220,000 acres), mostly for fruit and vegetables. Other top states for certified organic cropland include North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Texas and Idaho.
Source: Journal
