About Us

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Wyoming Field Office conducts surveys and prepares statistics concerning the production and prices of agricultural products grown, the structure of the agricultural industry, and many other agricultural-related topics in Wyoming. These agricultural statistics are part of the national program of statistics prepared and released by NASS. There are 14 Regional offices and 30 field offices that serve all 50 states. Also, through cooperative agreements, the Wyoming Field Office serves the statistical needs of the Wyoming Business Council, the University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. NASS published the first cattle inventory for Wyoming in 1867, over 150 years ago and 23 years before Wyoming became a state.

Field offices collect data by mail, secure internet website with personalized survey code, telephone, fax, and in person primarily from farmers and ranchers in sample surveys. Data are verified, analyzed, summarized, and published only in summarized totals. Individual producer data are always kept confidential and protected from subpoena or review by any outside entity by the strongest confidentiality laws in the United States. NASS statisticians in Wyoming, Denver, and Washington, D.C. review and publish National, State, and County estimates. Many of the statistics are market-sensitive, so all data are released at a prescribed, pre-announced time and date according to a calendar that is available to everyone prior to the beginning of each year.

Over 400 national reports are issued annually and several Wyoming-specific reports follow shortly after the national reports are released. In addition, the Census of Agriculture is conducted every five years by NASS. The Census of Agriculture is the only complete set of agricultural data by county available for the U.S. The reference years are 2017, 2012, etc. and historic versions are available back to 1840, including back to 1870 for Wyoming. The 2017 Census of Agriculture was mailed in December 2017 and data collection and analysis continued throughout 2018. Results will be published beginning April 2019.

The Wyoming Field Office works with the Wyoming Business Council, the University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture on cooperative surveys specifically requested and funded by the State of Wyoming. Currently, NASS publishes the Wyoming Sheep Death Loss report and Wyoming Winter Wheat Variety report in cooperation with the Wyoming Business Council.

The Wyoming Field Office publishes several reports which are available by subscription. Click on the “Subscribe to WY reports” link on our home page.

Wyoming Agriculture

With cash receipts near $2.0 billion annually, agriculture is one of the top three industries in the Cowboy State along with minerals and tourism. Wyoming has the largest average size of farms and ranches in the United States.

Most people associate Wyoming with the famous bucking bronco that adorns our license plate. In fact, cowboys help make cattle production by far the largest agricultural commodity in the state. Wyoming’s cattle industry dates back to the middle 1800's when settlers first began crossing and settling the West. NASS began publishing cattle estimates in 1867. After the Civil War, cattle ranching became one of the most prominent businesses and Cheyenne became a world trade center for cattle. For years, Wyoming range cattle have commanded top market value. However, cattle is certainly not the only agricultural product important in Wyoming.

The high plains and mountain meadows of Wyoming are well-known for producing some of the finest sheep and wool in the world. Wyoming ranks second in the U.S. in wool production and lamb crop. Wyoming wool is some of the finest and most desirable produced in the U.S. fetching some of the highest prices year in and year out. Our pasture and hay are regarded as the highest quality anywhere. Wyoming hay is known for high protein, leafiness, and excellent feed value and is shipped throughout the United States and the world for horse and dairy feed. With careful stewardship, the private and public rangelands support not only the livestock industry, but also an abundance of wildlife.

Fertile river bottoms produce outstanding crops of sugarbeets, dry edible beans, barley, and corn. Dryland winter wheat is grown, primarily in the East on the High Plains. Oats are also a common crop throughout Wyoming. Other more specialized commodities in the state include hogs, bison, and sunflowers. There are even a few farmers raising hardy fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

You are invited to take a look at Wyoming's high quality and diverse agricultural production though these statistics.

Last Modified: 08/24/2022