Mississippi

With close to 42,000 farms that cover about half of the state, agriculture is Mississippi’s number one industry, employing approximately 30% of the state’s work force. Crops provide about 46% of Mississippi’s annual farm income. Cotton is the state’s most valuable crop, and Mississippi typically ranks as one of the top cotton-producing states. The second most valuable crop is soybeans. Other major crops include rice, hay, wheat, corn, sweet potatoes, and pecans. About 54% of Mississippi’s yearly farm income is derived from livestock and livestock product. Beef cattle and chickens are the state’s most important livestock. Like many other southern states, broilers are the leading livestock product, and Mississippi usually ranks among the top five states in marketing broilers.