Mississippi farmers are finding out not only what a difference a year makes, but also what a difference a decade makes.
Agricultural economists with Mississippi State University’s Extension Service predict a record $6.9 billion production value for the state’s farm enterprises. The figure represents a 19 percent increase, or $1.09 billion, from 2009’s disastrous bottom line. After adjusting for inflation of agricultural prices, it is 45 percent, or $1.55 billion, better than in the year 2000. The previous record of $6.4 billion was set in 2005.
Extension agricultural economist John Michael Riley said the state’s top two crops continue to be poultry at $2.5 billion (up 8 percent) and forestry at $1.08 billion (up 25 percent). Soybeans moved into the No. 3 position in 2007 and remain there at $821 million (up 16 percent). In 2000, cotton was Mississippi’s No. 3 crop at a value of $481 million, and soybeans were in sixth place at $164 million.

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