Agriculture Is Vital to Nevada’s Economy

In 2014 Nevada’s agriculture industry contributed more than $951 million to the
state’s economy.

Nevada has 4,100 farms and 5.95 million acres of farmland. More than 81 percent of
farms are less than 500 acres, with an average farm size of 1,429 acres.
o 3,354 farms have less than 500 acres.
o 294 farms have between 500-1000 acres.
o 489 farms have more than 1000 acres.

The state’s leading agricultural industries are range livestock production and dairy,
sheep and lambs, and hogs.

Alfalfa hay is the leading cash crop of the state, totaling more than $232 million. Much
of the hay is sold to dairy operations in surrounding states. Significant quantities of
alfalfa cubes and compressed bales are exported overseas each year. Alfalfa seed is
another substantial crop.

Despite Nevada's arid climate, excellent crops are produced where land can be
irrigated. Crops produced in Nevada include potatoes, barley, winter and spring
wheat, corn, oats, onions, garlic, and honey.
Crop Insurance Is Vital to Nevada’s Agricultural Sector

Crop insurance protected $71 million of liability on growing crops in Nevada in 2015.
There were 1.6 million acres insured and more than $26 million was paid to farmers
in indemnities for production and/or revenue losses.

The top commodities (liability) for crop insurance protection in 2015 were:
o Pasture, Rangeland, Forage- $24 million, protecting 1.5 million acres.
o Forage Production - $18 million, protecting 39,947 acres.
o Onions - $13 million, protecting 2,964 acres.

The private crop-hail insurance product provided an additional $4.8 million in
liability protection on growing crops in Nevada.
National Crop Insurance Services
www.CropInsuranceInAmerica.org
913-685-2767
March 2016