Two Pillars of Texas Land Use: Agriculture & Energy

Texas' vast land area (268,596 sq mi) is dominated by two economic engines:

1. Agriculture

Texas leads the US in total agricultural receipts. Key products:

• Crops: Cotton (#1), corn, wheat, sorghum, hay, rice, peanuts, citrus, vegetables.
• Livestock: Cattle & calves (#1, ~12M head), sheep, goats, poultry, hogs.
• Land in Farms: ~127M acres (77% of state); 240,000+ operations.

Climate diversity (Humid East → Arid West) and fertile soils (Blackland Prairie, High Plains, Rio Grande Valley) enable this range.

2. Oil & Gas Production

Texas is the #1 oil and #1 natural gas producer in the US (often >40% of national output).

• Basins: Permian Basin (West TX/SE NM) — world's most productive; Eagle Ford (South TX); Barnett (North TX); Haynesville (East TX).
• Economic Impact: ~$200B+ GSP; millions of jobs; funds Permanent University Fund & Permanent School Fund via mineral royalties.
• Infrastructure: Pipelines, refineries (Gulf Coast), export terminals (Corpus Christi, Freeport).

Together, these sectors define Texas' landscape, economy, and political identity.