The Illinois Livestock Development Group (ILDG) contracted with Dr. Peter Goldsmith, UIUC to conduct an updated study of the economic contribution from our state’s animal agriculture industry. This is the third time this study has been conducted: the first time in 2001, and then again in 2004. With this third study, trend data is beginning to becoming evident.
The production sector of the livestock industry contributes $3.5 billion of total impact and over 25,000 jobs to the state’s economy. When combined with meat and dairy processing the entire complex produces more than $27 billion of total impact, equal to 5% of the state’s economy, and 99,000 jobs. This number has increased by about $6 billion, up from $21.060 billion in the 2004 study.
The industry continues to serve as an economic engine in both rural and urban areas of the state. Since 2000, the trend in Illinois livestock output shows modest growth in the real value of products sold. Pork and poultry lead with positive real growth, dairy is nominally flat and has declined in real terms, and beef and sheep and lamb marketings decline both nominally and in real terms.
Clinton County, located in south central Illinois, produces the most livestock products of any county in Illinois. It produces $122 million in direct output and $168 million in total output. The industry generates annual taxes of $13 million and total employment of 1,443 full time workers. The livestock industry in Jasper County, in east central Illinois generates the greatest share of the county’s economic activity. The industry equals 9.9% of all the personal income generated in the county.
Copies of the full report can be downloaded here.