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Agriculture

Keith County’s agricultural production, people and water are the foundation of our hospitable county. We have a work ethic second to none. Our clean air and good water also keeps Keith County on the upper end of the good clean living scale. Add to that our friendly people, and you will find Keith County a place you would love to call home.

Our terrain ranges from level to rolling hills. The river valley to the tableland has everything from silt to sand. Keith County borders to the south the famous Nebraska Sandhills. Keith County contains both natural grassland along with dry land and irrigated farmland. Our average annual rainfall ranges from 16 to 18 inches. Our temperatures range from below zero (Fahrenheit) in our winter months to highs above the century mark in the summer months.

However, our normal ranges would see a mean average in January of 24° and July at 89° Fahrenheit. Although our semi-arid weather would not normally be conducive to raising consistently large crops, Keith County sits over the Ogallala Aquifer. The Aquifer, along with help from the South Platte River via a canal system, allows farmers to irrigate and raise big yields and excellent quality crops.

Based on the market value of agricultural sales, Keith County virtually mirrors the state averages in total sales. Cattle and calves average about 68 percent of our total sales receipts. Crops for grain (corn and wheat) represent about 31.9 percent of our total sales. The remaining 2.1 percent includes soybeans, hay, silage, other crops and other livestock. Based on 2002 Census information, Keith County has 363 farms that average 1,730 acres in size with the median size farm of 622 acres.

Marketing and marketing outlets are provided by Farmers Cooperative Association (FCA), and three of the county’s largest feedlots, McGinley-Schilz Company, Korty Land and Cattle Company, and Sadle Cattle Company. Several smaller lots contribute to the total number of cattle being fed.

The total of 69,000 head of cattle per year in Keith County also contributes to the disappearance of our corn crop. For the past 52 years, the Ogallala Livestock Auction Market has provided local marketing services through regular sales each Wednesday. Special sales are held on Thursdays and Saturdays as advertised. Video marketing is also available.

Land in farms increased two percent from 614,205 acres in 1997 to 627,842 in 2002. The average size of farms also increased 14 percent from 1,517 acres in 1997 to 1,730 acres in 2002.

The market value of all crops sold in Keith County totaled $37,577,000. Livestock and their products totaled $57,982,000. Agricultural products sold per farm average increased three percent from $255,831 in 1997 to $263,246 in 2002.