Animal agriculture is more than a way of life in New York — it is a foundational economic engine that sustains rural communities, bolsters local businesses, and contributes significantly to the state’s economy. Across New York, nearly 31,000 farms operate on more than 6.5 million acres, with agriculture accounting for over 21% of total land use statewide.
Collectively, agriculture contributes approximately $2.7 billion to New York’s gross domestic product and supports more than 163,000 jobs, making it a major employer in both rural and regional economies. While these figures include all farming sectors, animal agriculture — especially dairy and livestock — plays an outsized role. Dairy products alone represent the largest share of agricultural receipts, contributing over $4.2 billion in milk and related products, and animal commodities overall account for nearly $4.9 billion in cash receipts.
These economic outputs ripple far beyond the farm fenceline. Family farms — which make up 98% of New York farms — purchase feed, equipment, fuel, veterinary services, and construction and transportation support from local suppliers, creating stable and recurring business for small towns. Beef and cattle operations, for example, generate hundreds of millions in annual cash receipts; beef production alone contributes more than $359 million each year to local economies and supports related jobs in feed supply, processing, and veterinary care.
Value-added businesses such as dairy processors, cheesemakers, meat processors, and agritourism operations amplify that impact even further. These enterprises create jobs, attract visitors, and help diversify rural economic bases while keeping dollars circulating locally instead of flowing out of the region.
By supporting animal agriculture, New Yorkers are investing in resilient local economies, vibrant rural communities, and a food system that keeps communities connected — culturally and economically — to the land and people who produce their food.
Resources:
www.nyfb.org
New York Ag Connection: www.newyorkagconnection.com/news/new-york-beef-producers-strengthen-state-economy
Economic Impact of Agriculture: www.economic-impact-of-ag.uada.edu/new-york/
