Oregon
Farm, dairy consolidation on the rise in Oregon and nation USDA census finds • Oregon Capital Chronicle
The average farmer in Oregon is getting older or getting out, is more energy efficient and likely farming on more acres than in generations past.
These are just a few key data points in the latest Census of Agriculture published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture last month. It’s undertaken every five years by the agency, and the latest report details changes between 2017 and 2022. It includes more than 6 million data points about the state of American farms and ranches down to the county level.
In Oregon and nationwide, the census shows a rapid consolidation of farms and an increase in the number of animals on smaller swaths of land as confined animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, become the norm for raising thousands of livestock for dairy, egg and meat production.
As of 2022, there were about 35,500 farms and ranches in Oregon, a decrease of 6% since 2017. The average size of farms in the state, however, grew by about 1%, with 3% of the state’s farms accounting for three-quarters of all agricultural goods produced in the state in 2022.
About 25% of all land in Oregon is used for agriculture, according to the report. In total, the state’s farms and ranches produced more than $6.7 billion worth of products in 2022, up more than $1 billion from 2017.
The state has not been spared from a nationwide wave of consolidating dairies. Oregon lost more than 120 small dairies between 2017 and 2022, while the number of dairy cows raised in large operations increased. The number of dairy cows raised in industrial operations in Oregon grew 60% between 2002 and 2022, according to an analysis of the USDA census data during the last two decades by the advocacy group Food & Water Watch.
The state’s largest cooperative dairy, Tillamook County Creamery Association, is currently being sued in a lawsuit over “greenwashing” claims brought against it by the Animal Legal Defense Fund and four Oregon consumers. The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that the state Supreme Court is determining whether to allow the case to move forward as a class action. The plaintiffs argue that the cooperative, selling dairy products under the “Tillamook” brand, advertises its products as being made with milk from small family dairies on the Oregon Coast. But the bulk of the milk sourced for Tillamook products – over two-thirds – comes from the state’s largest dairy operation – Threemile Canyon Farms – in northeast Oregon. The state Department of Agriculture has issued a permit to the dairy for 28,000 cows.
Oregon farms are increasingly using renewable energy: The report shows a nearly 25% increase in the number of farms using renewable energy for at least some of their needs, with 90% sourcing from solar panels.
The age of the average Oregon farmer rose slightly since 2017, from 57.9 years to 58.6 years. Just 7% of the state’s farmers and ranchers are under 35 years old, and nearly half of the state’s farmers and ranchers are women, according to the census data.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Entering the 2026 college football season, the Oregon Ducks are looking to not only win their first national championship in program history but also their second Big Ten title in the last three seasons.
When the Ducks joined the Big Ten in 2024, they kicked off their inaugural season in the conference in style, finishing the regular season undefeated at 13-0. This regular season was concluded with a thrilling 45-37 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Big Ten championship game.
Eug 040522 Lanning 02 | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
The Ohio State Buckeyes, however, got revenge for their loss to the Ducks at Autzen Stadium earlier in the regular season, beating Oregon 41-21 in the CFP Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl. Entering the 2026 season, here’s a look at the Ducks’ chances of winning the Big Ten for the second time.
Oregon Ducks Big Ten Title Odds: Who’s The Biggest Threat?
According to the latest betting odds by FanDuel Sportsbook, the Ducks have +270 odds to win the Big Ten championship this season. The one team ahead of them is the Ohio State Buckeyes at +190, who, believe it or not, are in search of their first Big Ten title since 2020. The Buckeyes were upset by the Indiana Hoosiers 13-10 in the Big Ten championship last season.
Among the top teams in the Big Ten next season, Ohio State poses the biggest threat to the Ducks’ chances of not only winning a conference title but also the national championship. The Buckeyes and Ducks will face off in what could be the game of the year in Columbus on Nov. 7.
As exciting as this matchup will be for college football fans, it likely won’t be the only one between the Buckeyes and Ducks. Regardless of which team wins the Nov. 7 showdown in Columbus, the Buckeyes and Ducks could match up again in the Big Ten title game and in the CFP.
Other Teams That Pose a Threat to Oregon
While the Buckeyes are the main threat to the Ducks’ Big Ten title aspirations, other teams will be worth watching. One of those teams is the defending national champions, the Indiana Hoosiers.
Despite the key losses this offseason, which include Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, coach Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers restocked talent with the addition of TCU Horned Frogs transfer quarterback Josh Hoover and Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Nick Marsh.
The only two losses that the Ducks suffered last season came against the Hoosiers. If the two face off in the Big Ten championship, Indiana looks to continue its dominance over the Ducks. The Hoosiers and Ducks don’t play each other during the regular season.
The USC Trojans, whom the Ducks will face at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Sept. 26, also look to knock off Oregon in what should be one of the top games of the first month of the college football season. Oregon coach Dan Lanning is undefeated 2-0 against USC’s Lincoln Riley and looks to extend the Ducks’ winning streak against the Trojans to five games.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest news.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at July 14, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 14 drawing
02-04-10-48-56, Mega Ball: 22
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 14 drawing
1PM: 6-3-6-3
4PM: 7-0-0-9
7PM: 2-0-6-0
10PM: 2-5-1-5
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
- Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form.
DESCHUTES COUNTY, Ore. — Oregon State Police are asking for additional witnesses to come forward after a three-vehicle crash on Highway 20E in Deschutes County left two people seriously injured.
Troopers responded at 12:47 p.m. Friday, July 10, to the crash near milepost 41. A preliminary investigation found a westbound 2013 black Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck pulling a single-axle utility trailer attempted to pass a black Dodge 4500 towing a trailer. Police said an eastbound Hyundai Elantra tried to avoid a collision with the Chevrolet, lost control in the gravel on the eastbound shoulder, veered into the westbound lane and collided with the trailer pulled by the Dodge 4500.
The driver and passenger of the Hyundai were flown by air medic to a local hospital with serious injuries.
The crash affected traffic for about five hours. The driver of the Chevrolet was cited for careless driving and unsafe passing.
OSP is asking anyone who may have seen the Chevrolet driving westbound on Highway 20 at the moment of, or prior to, the collision to contact the OSP Northern Command Center dispatch at 800-442-0776 or *OSP (*677) from a mobile phone. Callers should reference case number SP26-255130.
-
News19 minutes agoArgentina is back in the World Cup final after a thrilling semifinal win over England
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoRemains of murder victim identified as missing Southern California millionaire
-
Detroit, MI2 hours ago4Warn Weather Alert: Wildfire smoke leading to ‘unhealthy’ air quality in Metro Detroit
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoSan Francisco fishermen recount harrowing rescue after boat capsizes near Alcatraz
-
Dallas, TX3 hours agoTimothée Chalamet ‘Starstruck’ by Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
-
Miami, FL3 hours agoWives of detained men allege inhumane conditions at federal detention center in Miami
-
Boston, MA3 hours agoDriver charged in Norwood pedestrian crash that left man seriously injured
-
Denver, CO3 hours agoBoys, 12 and 14, arrested in deadly shooting in Denver’s Sunnyside neighborhood
