According to the Farms and Land in Farms 2017 Summary released by USDA/NASS, the estimated number of farms in the U.S. is 2.05 million, but has declined about 12,000 farms since 2016. Total land in farms has also declined, while average farm size increased slightly.

Texas led the way with the greatest number of farms at 240,000, and also the most acres of farmland (129.6 million acres). In 2017, Iowa was estimated to have about 86,900 farms and 30.5 million acres in farmland. The estimated number of Iowa farms declined slightly, while the acres of land in farms has remained constant since 2015. The average Iowa farm size remained at 351 acres.

57% of all Iowa farms fit in the two smallest sales class categories ($1,000-$9,999 and $10,000-$99,999), while the two largest categories ($500,000-$999,999 and $1 million+) account for 19% of Iowa farms.

However, the two smallest sales class categories only account for about 14% of the total land in farms in Iowa, while the two largest sales classes account for 60% of land in farms.

The average Iowa farm size by sales class ranges from 34 acres at the smallest sales class category to 1,338 acres for the $1 million+ sales class.

Michelle Mensing is a Research Analyst with Decision Innovation Solutions (DIS). DIS is an Iowa-Based economic research firm which provides regular farm economics research and analysis to the Iowa Farm Bureau staff and members.