The value of locally-produced crops has fallen almost $50
million over the past two years, including a nearly $19 million
drop in 2009, the second consecutive down year for agriculture
following six years of growth.
The value of locally-produced crops has fallen almost $50 million over the past two years, including a nearly $19 million drop in 2009, the second consecutive down year for agriculture following six years of growth.
Despite the drop in value, as reported in the annual crop report presented to the county Board of Supervisors this week, Agriculture Commissioner Ron Ross said the diversity of local crops should allow the industry to rebound.
“Agriculture is dynamic,” he said. “The agriculture here is well-diversified. If something goes up in production, some other commodity typically goes down.”
During the multi-million-dollar drop in value over the past two years, uncertainty over the water supply has prompted some growers to plant fewer acres than they traditionally would have.
“While some farmers have started the year out growing crops in their vegetable fields, others have held back rather than commit themselves to a crop and then have their water from the Central Valley Project used up midway through the year,” he said.
The largest reason for the overall drop in crop values in 2009, Ross said, was the nation’s economy.
“The nation’s weak economy affected the nursery industry greatly,” he said. “The lack of new construction and discretionary spending by consumers resulted in reduced nursery stock,” including grass and plants for landscaping.
The ongoing drought – which was in its third year in 2009 – affected local grain crops such as barley and hay. Those are traditionally dry-farmed; relying on rainfall rather than irrigation. Cattle producers subsequently also trimmed their herds.
In terms of value, field crops had the largest drop in overall value in the county, falling from just over $49 million in 2008 to $30.5 million last year. Field crops account for 13 percent of local agricultural commodities, according to the crop report.
Vegetable and row crops, which at 63 percent make up the largest share of ag commodities, dropped $3 million in value to $153 million in 2009. Fruit and nut crops were the only commodity category to show an increase in value from 2008 to 2009, jumping from just under $31 million to just more than $37 million.
See the full story in the Pinnacle.
