Lake Somerville

Burleson County AgricultureAG

Agriculture is a very important and diverse industry in Burleson County, with the annual farm receipts of $60 million, ag ranks second in gross income, behind energy production. Of that 60 million, 38% is from sale of crops and 62% from livestock and poultry and other ag related receipts. Pastureland makes up 60% of all the ag land used by farms, followed by 20% cropland, and 16% woodland. Twenty-seven percent of the county is employed in some area of agriculture. Agriculture in Burleson County consist of beef and forage production, row crop production, watermelon, and wildlife. There are approximately 1600 farms in Burleson County which comprise 361,022 acres of land. The average size farm is about 200 acres. Many of these ag producers are multi-generational farmers and ranchers that have learned from their parents and grandparents and continue to evolve and thrive in their operations. Beef and forage production annually contributes the largest portion of agricultural income in Burleson County. Agriculture producers are always looking for ways to increase profitability through improved efficiency, increased output, or decreased input expense. Production and subsequent harvest of high-quality forages are key to improving animal performance. Crop production in the Brazos Valley continues to be a significant contributor to total agricultural receipts. The following acreages were certified with the USDA-FSA in Burleson County in 2016: corn – 13,237; cotton – 12,342; grain sorghum – 4,300; hard red wheat – 1,948; oats – 1,605; soybeans – 1,064; alfalfa – 79. Seasonal price fluctuation is affected by multiple items like carry-over stocks (domestic and global), governmental relations, weather patterns and agricultural production levels of other nations.

WHAT MAKES BURLESON COUNTY AGRICULTURE SO UNIQUE IS THAT THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY EMBRACE THEIR RURAL HERITAGE.

The Family Land Heritage (FLH) program is a recognition program that honors families who have owned and operated a continuous agricultural operation for one hundred years. Every year Texas Department of Agriculture hosts a ceremony at the Texas State Capitol to celebrate and commemorate the families who have passed down their proud Texas legacy from generation to generation. Since the program’s inception in 1974 forty-one families from Burleson County have been honored by this program.

As Burleson County continues to grow in numbers, agriculture remains a major industry to the county.

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: LAURA MCKENZIE