Virginia Equine Survey Nass Release - 2006

NEWS RELEASE
United States Department of Agriculture
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE
VIRGINIA FIELD OFFICE
102 Governor St., Rm LL20, Richmond VA 23219 • (804) 771-2493
Ag Statistics Hotline: (800) 727-9540 • www.nass.usda.gov
Contact: Herman Ellison, Director

Number: 25

Released: December 14, 2007

The Equine Industry – Adding a Significant Contribution
to Virginia Agriculture and Its Economy
2006 Equine Survey Results
The 2006 Equine Survey indicated there were an estimated 215,000 horses, ponies, and mules in Virginia on
November 1, 2006, up 26 percent from the 170,000 on hand June 1, 2001. The equine industry adds a
significant contribution to Virginia agriculture as well as the Commonwealth’s economy.

Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds were the two leading breeds in Virginia at 49,000 and 30,900 head,
respectively.

The two largest equine counties were Loudoun and Fauquier at 15,500 and 14,800 head,

respectively.

The 215,000 equine were located on 41,000 equine operations throughout the Commonwealth, up 41 percent
from 2001. Most of the operations are located in the Central and Northern parts of the state.

The total value of all equine on November 1, 2006 was $1.65 billion, up 13 percent from 2001. Average value
per equine decreased 10 percent to $7,697 per equine. Equine located in the Northern and Central Districts
accounted for nearly 74 percent of the total value of all equine.

Virginia equine operations spent $783 million during 2006 caring for equine, compared to $505 million during
2001. Feed and bedding was the largest expense category at $99.6 million. Equipment purchases and capital
improvements followed at $92.0 million and $72.6 million, respectively. Equine expenses covering upkeeprelated items accounted for 77 percent of all expenses.

There were 15,600 equine sold in Virginia during 2006, up 21 percent. The total sales value was over $107
million. These sales place equine as the 6th largest commodity in Virginia based on cash receipts. About 66
percent of the total value of sales occurred in the Northern District.

Find agricultural statistics for your County, State, and the Nation at www.usda.gov/nass/
Cooperating with Virginia Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services

2006 Equine Inventory and Total Value by Breed

2006 Equine Value by District
$1,000

M il lio n s

$800
$600
$400
$200
$0

Avg.
Value
Breed or Category
Total Value
Per
Equine
American Saddlebred
7,300
$51,194,000
$7,013
Appaloosa
9,400
$21,525,000
$2,290
Arabian and Anglo Arabian
13,200
$88,808,000
$6,728
Belgian
3,000
$16,181,000
$5,394
Hanoverian
2,200
$53,745,000
$24,430
Miniature Horses
5,800
$10,085,000
$1,739
Morgan
2,800
$12,201,000
$4,358
Paint/Pinto
10,900
$43,157,000
$3,959
Paso Fino
1,400
$8,741,000
$6,244
Percheron
2,700
$14,716,000
$5,450
Quarter Horse
49,000
$181,632,000
$3,707
Standardbred
4,000
$18,003,000
$4,501
Tennessee Walker
15,500
$53,593,000
$3,458
Thoroughbred
30,900
$529,354,000
$17,131
Mules/Donkeys
13,400
$10,963,000
$818
Ponies
13,800
$60,586,000
$4,390
1/
Other Equine
29,700
$480,388,000
$16,175
State Total
215,000
$1,654,872,000
$7,697
1/
Other includes all other light breeds, crossbreeds, warmbloods, race
breeds, or draft breeds that were not published separately and all other
mixed breeds.
Equine
Inventory

Northern

Central

$813.1

$408.5

Value

Southwestern Southeastern
$134.9

$94.9

Western

Eastern

Southern

$77.7

$66.2

$59.6

2006 Equine Inventory by District
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000

2006 Equine Expenditures by Category
0
Number

Northern

Central

71,500

52,500

Southwestern Southeastern
34,500

16,800

Western

Southern

Eastern

16,200

12,300

11,200

2006 Equine Operations, Number Sold, and Value of Sales by District
District
Northern
Western
Central
Eastern
Southwestern
Southern
Southeastern
State Total

Equine
Operations
10,400
3,600
10,900
2,100
7,600
3,400
3,000
41,000

Equine
Sold
6,000
1,300
3,000
400
3,200
900
800
15,600

Total Value of
Sales
$70,345,000
$3,127,000
$22,941,000
$917,000
$4,475,000
$2,695,000
$2,822,000
$107,322,000

Avg. Value
Per Equine
$11,724
$2,405
$7,647
$2,293
$1,398
$2,994
$3,528
$6,880

(Millions)
Capital
Impro vements
$ 72.6

Equine P urchased
$ 63.6

Labo r Expenses
$ 74.2
Equine Related
A ctivities
$ 35.0

Other P urchases
and Upkeep
$ 537.6