Ask the City Planner: Facts about the agricultural industry in Fannin County

As a service to the community, these articles are written to inform the public about important and timely issues in Bonham. I hope this information is helpful to you and that you will pass it along to someone else who can use it.

For the last few weeks I have been inundating you with facts about Bonham. My theory is that you can never get enough facts about anything, especially about where you work and/or live. So, to further enhance my theory, I am continuing with more facts, but this week, not about Bonham, but about the agricultural industry in Fannin County. This includes data on the livestock industry, field crops, and other agricultural industries in the County. Most of the statistics came from the 2005 Agricultural Income Report for Fannin County, prepared by the Chris Schraeder, County Agent, with input from agricultural producers in the County.

Chris is the Fannin County Extension Agent over agriculture and natural resources, and located in Bonham at the Texas Cooperative Extension Service, 210 South Main. This Extension Service is part of the Texas A&M University System. By the way, he is available to work with you on any issue relating to the information presented below, and he values your input and assistance with County programs as well. He can be reached at 903-583-7453, or by email at ceschraeder@ag.tamu.edu

Now on with the show! Fannin County was created in 1837 and was one of the original counties in the Republic of Texas. Its roots have always been in agriculture. While times have changed and non-agricultural industries are growing, Fannin County has stayed true to its heritage and has remained a rural county. The dominant agricultural industry in the County has changed over the years from cotton to peanuts to grains to cattle. Even with the changes, it is this sector of the economy that has and is currently providing the backbone for growth and expansion in Fannin County.

Fannin County’s 900 square miles are still predominantly placed in agriculture production, accounting for $67,482,500 in production income in 2005. Of this total, 63% came from the livestock industry, 31% came from field crops, and 6% from other agricultural industries.

Livestock production income equated to $42,111,400. Further broken down, beef was $40,850,000; dairy $76,000; poultry $158,000; hogs $5,500, sheep $130,000; and goats $891,800. According to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture statistics, there are currently an estimated 50,000 producing beef cattle in Fannin County. The beef sector income included slaughter cattle (18%), breeder cattle (20%), stocker cattle (9%), and beef calves (54%).

Field crop production accounted for $21,198,000 in agricultural income. Field crops include wheat, barley, corn, hay, alfalfa, oats, sorghum, soybeans, vetch seed, vegetables, peaches, blackberries, blueberries, grapes, pecans, watermelons and nursery crops.

Other agriculture products totaled $4,173,000. These included horses at 36%, hunting 36%, timber 22.5%, Christmas trees 1%, honey 0.4%, wool 0.1%, and aquaculture 4%.

Fannin County currently is home to many tree nurseries, as well as flowers and bedding plants. These nurseries bring a new dimension of agricultural income to Fannin County. Horses and the equine industry are growing at a fast pace. Fannin County is right in the heart of Texas horse country. Fannin County’s motto is “keeping our roots, enriching our history . . .”

If you have questions about what’s going on in the City, please submit your questions in writing to Mike Walthall, Development Services Coordinator, 301 E. Fifth, Bonham, Texas 75418. Phone: 903/583-7555 or FAX 903/583-5761. Email me at mwalthall@cobon.net