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Wyoming Economy

Agriculture

Wyoming is cattle country. About 86% of the state's total agricultural receipts are generated by livestock products. 78% of total agricultural receipts can be attributed to beef cattle and calves.

In terms of revenue generated Wyoming's top five agricultural products are beef cattle and calves, hay, sugar beets, hogs, and sheep and lambs.

Livestock

Beef cattle are, by far, the most important source of revenue in the state and in the livestock sector.

Hogs, sheep and lambs, and to a lesser extent, dairy products (milk) and honey are also major livestock commodities of Wyoming. Among the states, Wyoming is a leading producer of sheep and wool.

Wyoming also produces chicken eggs.

Crops

Hay is the top crop in Wyoming

Sugar beets, barley, dry beans, and wheat round out the top five crops grown in Wyoming.

Corn for grain, some greenhouse and nursery products, oats, and sunflowers are also grown in the state.

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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.

Manufacturing in Wyoming is minimal. The state's most important manufactured product is soda ash.

Ranking second is the refining of petroleum.

Other manufactured products are metal containers, structural metals, dairy products, refined sugar and soft drinks, wood products.

Mining

Mining comprises a larger proportion of Wyoming's gross state product than that of any other state.

Wyoming is the leading coal-producing state and a leader in the production of petroleum and natural gas.

Sodium carbonate-containing trona is used to manufacture glass, soap and paper.

Wyoming is also a major producer of bentonite and other clays.

Services

Unlike so many other states, Wyoming's chief services industry is not the community, business and personal services group. The most valuable services in Wyoming are government services (public schools and hospitals, military establishments).

Ranking second is the transportation, communication and utility (oil and gas pipelines, railroads, telephone companies, electric, gas and water service) group of services.

The third-ranking industry group in Wyoming is the finance, insurance and real estate group.

Sources

Phil Roberts and Ronald E. Beiswenger, "Wyoming," World Book Online Americas Edition (14 August 2001).

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