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Study finds growth in animal ag good for economy

A new study says growth in animal agriculture is positively impacting the economy.

United Soybean Board farmer-leader Mike Beard farms in West-central Indiana outside of Lafayette . He says USB’s Economic Analysis of Animal Agriculture study measured the importance of the animal ag sector.  “Animal ag increased our gross national product by over $100 billion in economic output, improved household earnings over $21 billion and it added more than 645,000 jobs since 2004.”

Growth in animal ag was reported in the majority of states with Iowa, Idaho and Michigan seeing the largest increases over the last decade (+82%, +74%, +72%). Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Nevada and Washington all increased animal ag by at least 50 percent.

Beard says animal agriculture is the soybean industry’s number one customer with 97 percent of soybean meal going directly to poultry and livestock.

AUDIO: Interview with Mike Beard