Iowa Economy

Agriculture and Industry Services and Products

Iowa’s fertile soil makes the production of grain, particularly, corn a central part of the state’s economy. Hay and oats are also major crops. Corn grown in Iowa is used to feed livestock, making cattle and pig production another important element of the economy. In 1997, Iowa led the nation in the production of corn, soybeans, hogs, and pigs, and ranked in the top ten states in the raising of cattle. Today, Iowa’s farm income ranks second in the U.S.

Agriculture also benefits the state’s chief industry, food processing. Many factories in Sioux City and Cedar Rapids process farm products. Cement is the most important mineral product; others are stone, sand, gravel, and gypsum. Mineral production is small, however.
 

Iowa Agriculture and Industry

Iowa Agriculture:

Hogs, corn, soybeans, oats, cattle, dairy products.

Iowa Industry:

Food processing, machinery, electric equipment, chemical products, printing and publishing, primary metals.

The state's total gross state product for 2003 was $103 billion. Its per capita income for 2003 was $28,340. Iowa's main agricultural outputs are hogs, corn, soybeans, oats, cattle and dairy products. Its industrial outputs are food processing, machinery, electric equipment, chemical products, publishing and primary metals. Iowa produces the nation's largest amount of ethanol. Des Moines also serves as a center for the insurance industry.