The 2014 Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics is hot off the press. Learn about what makes Wisconsin first in the nation in growing cabbage for sauerkraut, making cheese and producing corn silage.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service releases this annual publication each fall. This 68-page document includes a welcome by Greg Bussler, State Statistician, and Ben Brancel, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

“I hope these statistics will allow those in agriculture to make informed decisions for the future based on previous production,” said Brancel. “The numbers in this report are a reflection on agricultural activities in 2013.”

This year’s cover features a Wisconsin map and puts a spotlight on fun agriculture facts. Wisconsin grows almost half of the nation’s beets and green beans for processing. The state produces about a third of the nation’s mink pelts and human grade dry whey.

A table outlines Wisconsin’s rank in the nation’s agricultural production. An index makes it easy to find information on Wisconsin agriculture and economics, crops and livestock and dairy.

The Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics includes charts and graphs to better understand the data. The report also breaks down information to county-level data. A special three-page section in the back of the bulletin provides highlights facts from the 2012 Census of Agriculture, just released this year.

“This publication is possible due to the timely and accurate data provided by farmers, agribusinesses, commodity groups and others,” concluded Bussler. “I appreciate the work of the enumerators and staff to put these statistics together.”

The 2014 Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics is available free online to read and print at www.tinyurl.com/wistats. To request a hard copy, call the Wisconsin Field Office at 608-224-4848.