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Utah Economy

Agriculture

In terms of revenue generated Utah's top five agricultural products are beef cattle and calves, dairy products, hogs, hay, and greenhouse and nursery products.

Livestock

Over 3/4 of Utah's agricultural income is generated by livestock and livestock products. Beef cattle and milk lead the way in this sector.

Other important livestock products are hogs, chicken eggs, and sheep and lambs.

Wool, honey, aquaculture, and turkeys also contribute significantly to the economy.

Crops

Hay is Utah's largest crop, grown to feed beef and dairy cattle.

Greenhouse and nursery products (potted plants and ornamental shrubs) are also very important to the state.

The wheat, barley, and corn crops are also important.

Leading fruits are apples, cherries, and peaches. Apricots and pears are also grown in Utah.

Leading vegetables are onions, potatoes, and dry beans.

Mushrooms and safflower are also grown in Utah.

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Manufacturing

Manufacturers add value to raw products by creating manufactured items. For example, cotton cloth becomes more valuable than a boll of cotton through manufacturing processes.

Computer and electronics products, including communication equipment, computer microchips and scientific instruments, make up Utah's leading manufactured products list.

Ranking second is primary metals manufacturing, producing steel, aluminum and copper in the state.

Processed foods and beverages (dairy products, baked goods, meat products, snack foods) rank third.

Mining

Petroleum and copper are the most valuable mined products of Utah followed by natural gas.

Uranium is mined when economic conditions make it profitable.

Utah is the only state that produces gilsonite, a pure form of asphalt used in dark colored printing inks and paints, oil well drilling muds and cements, asphalt modifiers, foundry sands additives and a wide variety of chemical products.

Magnesium and natural salts are produced from the Great Salt Lake.

Utah is the country's leading producer of molybdenum and potassium salts.

Other mined products include sand and gravel, clay, gemstones,

Services

The community, business and personal services group provides the most valuable services industries in Utah including private health care, hotels and ski resorts, law firms, engineering companies, software development and repair shops.

Ranking second is the finance, insurance and real estate group. Population growth has benefited the real estate sector. A large banking company and several credit card companies have established operations in Utah.

The wholesale trade (food products, mined products, motor vehicles) and retail trade (automobile dealerships, discount stores, grocery stores, restaurants) services group ranks third in the state. Most of Utah's services are centered in metropolitan areas of the state.

Sources

George F. Hepner and Thomas G. Alexander, "Utah," World Book Online Americas Edition (14 August 2001).

U.S. Department of Agriculture: National Agricultural Statistics Service, "Utah State Agriculture Overview, 2004", 3 January 2006, (12 January 2006)