| Rolling hills and flat
bottomlands help make agriculture the major
industry in Metcalfe County. According to the
latest Kentucky Agriculture Statistics, Metclfe
County has 1,088 farms totaling 137,334 acres.
Of the total acreage, there are 33,374 acres of
harvested cropland.
The major crops in the county are burley
tobacco, corn and hay. Some commercial
vegetable crops are also grown. Metcalfe County
ranks 34th in the state for burley production
and 17th for alfalfa hay production.
Dairy and beef cattle are important farm
enterprises as well. Metcalfe county ranks 12
in the state in milk production. Ample
pastureland supports sheep and horse operations
also.
In recent years, attention has turned to new
innovations in crop and livestock production.
New technology such as float system tobacco
plants and no-till pasture seeding has been
adopted by farmers. These and other innovations
have helped the county farmers to become more
efficient.
Metcalfe County's farmers are served through
the local ASCS, Soil Conservation and
Cooperative Extension Service organizations. A
live stock market operates in Edmonton and
seasonal farmers' markets are held at Bowling
Park. Several agribusinesses serve the county
to providing the area with feed, seed,
fertilizer and farm supplies. |
|
|
| Agricultural Overview |
| Number of Farms |
950 |
| Number < $25,000
sales |
743 |
| Number < $50,000
sales |
85 |
| Number > $100,000
sales |
112 |
|
| |
|
| Land in Farms (acres) |
133,760 |
| |
|
| Cash Receipts (1998) |
$30,191,000 |
| Crops |
$15,191,000 |
| Livestock |
$14,993,000 |
|
| |
| Leading
Agriculture Commodities |
| Tobacco (691 Farms) |
$10,000,000 |
| Dairy (103 Farms) |
$7,200,000 |
| Beef Cattle (507
Farms) |
$4,900,000 |
|
| |
| Tobacco
represents 1/3 of county income. |
| |
Impact of
Agriculture of Metcalfe County
(percentage of county total) |
| |
Econ. Act. |
Jobs |
| Farming |
12% |
16% |
| Proc./Forrestry |
14% |
20% |
| Food Retailing |
18% |
25% |
|
| |
| Impact of Tobacco
Quota Cuts |
|
| |
|
Edmonton, Kentucky 42129
