Our Farmland

Cash receipts from sales of horses and stud fees in Kentucky again made equines the top agriculture product in 2008, according to state agriculture commissioner Richie Farmer.

The 2008 farm gate cash receipts numbers were announced Aug. 27 by the Kentucky office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The $4.84 billion total surpassed the previous record of $4.52 billion set in 2007.

–TheHorse.com, 2009

Kentucky, which annually produces more registered foals than any other state, yielded a record number of registered foals in 2006, 10,376, (which was 30.5% of the U.S. Crop) and exceeded its previous high-water mark of 10,118 registered foals in 2000.
– The Jockey Club, 2008

Fayette County is home to two of the largest thoroughbred horse sale agencies in the world
– Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton.

In 2006 and 2007 they collectively had more than $1.1 billion dollars in thoroughbred sales.
– Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton

In 2006, Keeneland sold $804.4 million in thoroughbreds.

Today, Lexington is the horse capital of the world. This title is proudly displayed everywhere, from government stationary to local business slogans.

We have this honor because world-renowned horse farms, bloodstock companies, veterinary clinics, sales agencies, and racecourses are located here.
– The Lane Report, “Not Just a Business Center, June 27, 2006.

Lexington-Fayette County has over 200 horse farms.
– KY Horse Farm Manager’s Directory, 2004

In 2002, Fayette County’s veterinary payroll was $17.1 million. 
– The Lane Report, Market Review, 2007-2008

The KY thoroughbred industry itself generates over $4 billion dollars each year, and it generates 80,000-100,000 direct and indirect jobs. 
–KEEP, 2007

Yet, Fayette County is not only famous for its thoroughbreds, but also its row crops and livestock.

The Bluegrass Stockyards is also located here in Fayette County, and it largest stockyards East of the Mississippi River.

Kentucky is the largest cattle-producing state east of the Mississippi River. It has over 1.1 million beef cows with an overall cattle inventory of 2.4 million. Cattle producers generated over $561 million in cash sale receipts last year, and this money supports Kentucky beef-producing farm families.
–The Lane Report, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, January 2007.

The Bluegrass Region has the largest assembly of cattle brokers in the United States. Eastern Livestock, the largest order buyer in the nation, has offices in Lexington. S&B Cattle Company and Eugene Barber & Sons are national players that are also based in Lexington.
– Business Lexington, 2007.

In 2006, it had over $144 million in cattle sales, and it sold over 245,000 cattle. 
— Bluegrass Stockyards, 2007

In 2005, the sales of Major Crops in Fayette County, including tobacco, corn soybeans, and hay was $12,4 million.
— USDA Annual Report, 2006

As of January 1, 2007 KY had 37,000 sheep and lambs-a 5.7% increase from 2006. 
— KY Farm Bureau, 2006

Cattle Farming in the Bluegrass

“Business Lexington TV’s look at one of Lexington’s most valuable assets: its dwindling farmland.”

Business Lexington TV, www.bizlex.com

This video can also be viewed at Business Lexington TV.

For the first time in our nation’s history, the United States imported more food products by value than it exported in 2006. Food increasingly comes from distant, sometimes unsafe sources. The average foodstuff travels over 1,500 miles to its destination. 
–American Planning Association, January 2008.

Yet, by the year 2030, China will demand more food alone than is produced in the entire world today. Indeed, food is a limited and potentially priceless commodity that is essential to human survival. 
–American Planning Association, January 2008.

Fayette County agriculture is a “new economy” opportunity– as our local community, the Bluegrass Region and the world need food, and more efficient food production techniques.

The inner Bluegrass Region has some of the world’s most fertile farmland, and is located in a relatively temperate climate. In addition, Lexington is located within a day’s travel of 70% of the U.S. population. As such, Fayette County farms can produce a wide-variety of marketable agricultural products.
–Commerce Lexington, 2008. 
–Fayette Co. Farm Bureau, 2008.

Wine, locally produced organic foods, and fuel industries are growing in the inner Bluegrass Region. These industries are crucial to our national security, food safety, sustainability, and economic development.

In fact, many experts believe that Kentucky’s greatest potential may come in alternative fuel technology and production—from switchgrass ethanol manufacturing to hydroelectric power. These are powerful market ideas, considering that oil production is peaking, and world demand is expected to increase 50% by 2030.
–The Lane Report, November 2008.
–American Planning Association, January 2008.

Fayette County agriculture has a significant role to play in today’s world, as natural resources become scarce and need increases.

Employment numbers and value of agriculture production and processing in Fayette County*

* Includes farms and ancillary industries, i.e. veterinary services, feed stores, etc. 
– Dr. Timothy Woods, Agri-business Task Force Study, 2005

The Employee withholding tax and payroll tax are major revenue sources for the city. 
– American Farmland Trust, “The Cost for Community Services inLexington-FayetteCounty Kentucky”, 1999; LFUCG Dept. of Revenue, 2006

LFUCG Dept. of Revenue does not know the amount of tax revenues generated by Fayette County Agribusiness or its related industries. 
– LFUCG Dept. of Revenue, 2006

All in all, agriculture has over a $2 billion impact on the regional economy each year. 
– Dr. Timothy A. Woods, Agri-business Task Force Study, 2005