E-mail: nass-ny@nass.usda.gov
(518) 457-5570

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:  Robin Gannon
Wednesday, July 22, 2009

www.nass.usda.gov/ny

                     FARM PRODUCTION EXPENSES INCREASE

Based upon 2007 Census of Agriculture data, farm production expenses for
the State of New York totaled $3.50 billion.  According to Stephen Ropel,
Director of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York Field
Office, this shows an increase of 25 percent over the total expenses
reported in the 2002 Census of Agriculture.  Average expenses in 2007 were
$96,372 per farm.  Sixteen percent of the 36,352 farms surveyed fell into
the expense category of $100,000 or more.  This category made up 83 percent
of the total farm expenses for 2007.  In contrast, 15 percent of the 37,252
farms surveyed in 2002 fell into the same category, accounting for 78
percent of total expenses.

Relative to the 2002 Census of Agriculture, total expenditures on gasoline,
fuels, and oils increased dramatically by 95 percent.  Expenditures on
fertilizers, lime and soil conditioners also saw a sharp increase of 67
percent.  In terms of decreased expenditures, rent and lease expenses for
machinery, equipment, and farm share of vehicles dropped 20 percent while
expenses for livestock and poultry purchased or leased dropped by 4
percent.

The Census, which is conducted every five years, provides facts and figures
on virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture, including number and types
of farm operations, the economic aspects of farm production and the
demographics of U.S. farm operators.

Details on this and other Census data can be found on-line through the New
York NASS web site:  www.nass.usda.gov/ny/. U.S., State and County tables
are available in PDF, Text, and CSV files. Printed copies will be available
along with the CD-ROMS and a searchable database. For further information
or assistance, please call the New York office at 800-821-1276 or send an
e-mail to: nass-ny@nass.usda.gov.

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7-22-09