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Aquaculture is the newest commodity in Nebraska City

By Kristen Sindelar, Midwest Messenger
Dec 10, 2023
Dec 10, 2023 Updated May 23, 2024
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9 min to read

Something seems fishy about the farm south of Nebraska City in Otoe County.

Riverence, an aquaculture company that raises trout for their meat, uses soy to help feel its fish, like these in Idaho. Riverence has a deal to buy specialized soy ingredients from Benson Hill, the St. Louis "food tech" company. Video by Bryce Gray, Post-Dispatch.

Video by Bryce Gray, Post-Dispatch.

Most valuable crops grown in Nebraska

Most valuable crops grown in Nebraska

Most valuable crops grown in Nebraska — There are more than 2 million farms in the United States, about 98% of which are operated by families, individuals, family partnerships, or family corporations, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. About 87% of all agricultural products in America are produced on family ranches or farms. A single farm feeds an average of 166 people per year, both in the U.S. and abroad. Even so, farming is a mere sliver of the U.S. economy, representing just 1% of America’s GDP—farm and ranch families make up less than 2% of America’s population.
More African Americans are operating farms now than ever before, likewise for Hispanic and Latino farm operators. One in four farmers are beginning farmers, a term that represents those with fewer than 10 years in agriculture work—their average age is 46. About 11% of U.S. farmers served or are serving in the military.
The U.S. imports $129 billion worth of agricultural products a year, but the country maintains a positive trade balance by exporting $137 billion worth. Stacker compiled a list of the most valuable crops grown in Nebraska using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture state agriculture overview. Crops are ranked by total annual value of production as of Feb. 2, 2022.
Keep reading to see which crops grown in Nebraska are the most valuable.
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nnattalli // Shutterstock

#9. Oats

#9. Oats — - 2020 production: $5.1 million
- Top states:
--- #1. South Dakota ($27.5 million)
--- #2. Minnesota ($26.4 million)
--- #3. Wisconsin ($20.6 million)
--- #4. North Dakota ($20.1 million)
--- #5. Iowa ($17.9 million)
Mironmax Studio // Shutterstock

#8. Sunflower

#8. Sunflower — - 2020 production: $10.7 million
- Top states:
--- #1. North Dakota ($263.7 million)
--- #2. South Dakota ($220.2 million)
--- #3. Minnesota ($29.5 million)
--- #4. Kansas ($21.5 million)
--- #5. Texas ($18.3 million)
EsfilPla // Shutterstock

#7. Millet

#7. Millet — - 2020 production: $26.6 million
- Top states:
--- #1. Colorado ($48.1 million)
--- #2. Nebraska ($26.6 million)
--- #3. South Dakota ($16.4 million)
PENG TIANLI // Shutterstock

#6. Sorghum

#6. Sorghum — - 2020 production: $61.5 million
- Top states:
--- #1. Kansas ($1.1 billion)
--- #2. Texas ($391.6 million)
--- #3. Nebraska ($61.5 million)
--- #4. Oklahoma ($51.0 million)
--- #5. South Dakota ($48.0 million)
Sayanjo65 // Shutterstock

#5. Potatoes

#5. Potatoes — - 2020 production: $103.2 million
- Top states:
--- #1. Idaho ($981.2 million)
--- #2. Washington ($753.4 million)
--- #3. Wisconsin ($351.0 million)
--- #4. North Dakota ($278.5 million)
--- #5. Colorado ($241.8 million)
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fasthorses // Shutterstock

#4. Wheat

#4. Wheat — - 2020 production: $156.5 million
- Top states:
--- #1. North Dakota ($1.6 billion)
--- #2. Kansas ($1.3 billion)
--- #3. Montana ($1.2 billion)
--- #4. Washington ($942.4 million)
--- #5. Idaho ($582.4 million)
Canva

#3. Hay & haylage

#3. Hay & haylage — - 2020 production: $621.4 million
- Top states:
--- #1. Texas ($1.5 billion)
--- #2. Wisconsin ($1.1 billion)
--- #3. California ($1.0 billion)
--- #4. Idaho ($930.9 million)
--- #5. Pennsylvania ($881.5 million)
Laurens Hoddenbagh // Shutterstock

#2. Soybeans

#2. Soybeans — - 2020 production: $3.2 billion
- Top states:
--- #1. Illinois ($7.0 billion)
--- #2. Iowa ($5.5 billion)
--- #3. Minnesota ($4.0 billion)
--- #4. Indiana ($3.8 billion)
--- #5. Missouri ($3.3 billion)
nnattalli // Shutterstock

#1. Corn

#1. Corn — - 2020 production: $7.6 billion
- Top states:
--- #1. Iowa ($9.9 billion)
--- #2. Illinois ($9.3 billion)
--- #3. Nebraska ($7.6 billion)
--- #4. Minnesota ($6.1 billion)
--- #5. Indiana ($4.4 billion)
Claudia Harms-Warlies // Shutterstock

Reporter Kristen Sindelar has loved agriculture her entire life, coming from a diversified farm with three generations working side-by-side in northeastern Nebraska. Reach her at Kristen.Sindelar@midwestmessenger.com.