In 2024, large-scale family farms produced the majority of the value in several major commodity categories, including dairy (73%), specialty crops (58%), cotton (52%), beef (52%) and cash grains and soybeans (51%). These operations often benefit from economies of scale, allowing them to dominate high-value, high-acreage or capital-intensive sectors.
Meanwhile, small family farms remained important in hay (51%) and poultry and eggs (35%), sectors in which smaller acreage or contract production are more common.
Midsize family farms contributed between 6 and 32% of production value across commodities, with their strongest presence in hogs (32%), poultry and eggs (27%), and cash grains and soybeans (25%).
Nonfamily farms were most active in specialty crops, accounting for 30% of the production value, the highest share for this group across all commodity categories.
Compared with 2023, large-scale family farms expanded their role in poultry and egg production but saw a decline in cotton, while midsize farms gained ground in cotton production. Nonfamily farms reduced their share in cattle and hog production. — USDA Economic Research Service
