BOISE, Idaho—Idaho now ranks No. 3 out of 11 western states in terms of total crop and livestock production value and is closing in on the No. 2 spot.

With a total of $7.4 billion in farm-gate receipts in 2011, Idaho passed Colorado ($7.1 billion) to grab the third spot behind Washington ($8.8 billion) and California ($43.9 billion).

The rankings were compiled by University of Idaho agricultural economist Ben Eborn and based on U.S. Department of Agriculture data.

SOURCE: Sean Ellis, Capital Press

http://www.capitalpress.com/newsletter/SE-Idaho-rank-011813