In comparing the 2012 data with the previous census of 2007 we saw some significant change. The number of farms decreased by 4% to 1,693. Land in farms decreased by 3% to 339,981 acres and the average size of farms increased by 2% to 201 acres.
The market value of products saw a significant increase as the total value increased by 17% to $559,494,000. 68% of that was livestock and livestock product sales. Total sales rank Darke County second behind Mercer County in Ohio and 85th for all counties in the country (3007).
Specific top ten rankings in the state include:
- Sales
- #2 in grains
- #2 in poultry and eggs
- #5 in cattle and calves
- #7 in milk from cows
- #2 in hogs and pigs
- Crop Acres
- #2 in soybeans
- #1 in corn
- Livestock Inventory
- #1 in layers
- #1 in pullets for layer replacement
- #2 in turkeys
- #2 in hogs and pigs
- #4 in cattle and calves
Nationally Darke County is ranked number in one in pullets for layer replacement and ranked second in the country in layers.
For more information about OSU Extension, Darke County, visit the Darke County OSU Extension web site at www.darke.osu.edu, the OSU Extension Darke County Facebook page or contact Sam Custer, at 937.548.5215.