UW Releases New Findings on the Economic Impact of Agriculture in Wyoming

In 2021, agricultural production contributed over $2.5 billion to the economy in Wyoming. This is according to a new publication by the University of Wyoming Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. According to information from the UW Extension, the total includes direct farm-gate sales from 11 agricultural industries and related business-to-business purchases and spending by agricultural households.

Analysis was completed using IMPLAN economic impact modeling software and the most recent data available from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service and US Census Bureau. In 2021, beef cattle ranching accounted for over $1 billion in direct output—nearly 60 percent of total direct output from agricultural industries. Overall, livestock production accounted for 77 percent of Wyoming’s direct economic output from agricultural industries; crop production made up the remaining 23 percent. In total, agricultural production contributed $1.712 billion to the state’s economy in direct farm-gate sales.

The publication showed that business-to-business ag supply chain purchases contributed an additional $476 million to the state’s economy. Household spending of agricultural industry labor income in local restaurants, retail stores and other establishments added another $338 million.