[Agriculture Fact Book 98]
The 10 major farm production regions in the United States differ in soils, slope of land, climate, distance to market, and storage and marketing facilities. Together they comprise the agricultural face of the Nation.
The Northeastern States and the Lake States are the Nation’s principal milk-producing areas. Climate and soil in these regions are suited to raising grains and forage for cattle and for providing pastureland for grazing.
Broiler farming is important in Maine, Delaware, and Maryland. Fruit and vegetables are also important to the region.
The Appalachian region is the major tobacco-producing area in the Nation. Peanuts, cattle, hog, and dairy production are also important there.
In the Southeast region, beef and broilers are important livestock products. Fruits, vegetables, and peanuts are grown in this region. Big citrus groves, winter vegetable, and sugarcane production areas in Florida are major suppliers of agricultural goods. Cotton production is making a comeback.
In the Delta States, the principal cash crops are soybeans and cotton. Rice, corn, and sugarcane are also grown. With improved pastures, livestock production has gained in importance. This is a major broiler-producing region.
The Corn Belt has rich soil and good climate for excellent farming. Corn, soybeans, cattle, hogs, and dairy products are the major outputs of farms in the region. Other feed grains and wheat are also important.
Agriculture in the Northern and Southern Plains, which extend north and south from Canada to Mexico, is restricted by rainfall in the western portion and by cold winters and short growing seasons in the northern part. About three-fifths of the Nation’s winter and spring wheat is produced in this region. Other small grains, grain sorghum, hay, forage crops, and pastures form the basis for raising cattle and for milk production. In the southern part, cotton is also a major crop.
The Mountain States provide a still different terrain. Vast areas of this region are suited to raising cattle and sheep. Wheat is important in the northern parts. Irrigation in the valleys provides water for such crops as hay, sugar beets, potatoes, fruits, and vegetables.
The Pacific region includes the three Pacific Coast States plus Alaska and Hawaii. Farmers in Washington and Oregon specialize in raising wheat, fruit, and potatoes. Vegetables, fruit, and cotton are important in California. Cattle are raised throughout the region, and California leads the Nation in milk production. In Hawaii, sugarcane and pineapples are the major crops. Greenhouse/nursery and dairy products are Alaska’s top-ranking commodities.
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