Ag product worth declines by $50 million over past two years as
growers plant less
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.
”
Ag product worth declines by $50 million over past two years as growers plant less
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.
“It seems in agriculture, what benefits some may hurt others,” Ross said. “Cattle and grain production will be up this year (because of abundant rainfall), but some late spring rain will also probably damage some of the cherry and apricot crop. We are not a mono-culture, though. If there is some type of weather- or price-related problem with one crop, it’s not that the whole agricultural community will be affected.”
Poor growing conditions in other regions can also benefit local growers, Ross noted. An increase in the number of acres of processing tomatoes grown in San Benito County is attributable to a reduction in water supplies on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley.
Local farmers, many of whom have worked the land for generations, are used to modifying what they grow based on economic and consumer demands, Ross said.
“Ten years ago there was quite a bit of head lettuce grown here,” he said. “Now, people want lettuce in a bag, so growers are producing different types of leaf lettuce. It can be cyclical. It’s a matter of staying up with the times. The farmers around here have adapted to changes in water supplies and economics and changing consumer preferences.”
Although the gross value of locally-grown agricultural products has dropped during the past two years, and is at its lowest value since 2003, the crop report does not represent the net profit for producers.
“We’ve had an overall dollar decline the last few years but agriculture still plays an important part in the economy,” said Ross, pointing out that San Benito County remains among the top five producing counties for eight crops: lettuce, celery, tomatoes, salad greens, spinach, garlic, asparagus and peas.
There has been a “significant” increase in the acreage of raspberries and blueberries grown locally, Ross said, and olive acreage is expected to climb as growers produce more olive oil. More than 30 organic farmers are growing 65 crops on more than 8,000 acres.
“Thirty years ago, Hollister was predominantly orchards,” Ross said. “Now, over 60 percent (of farmland) is vegetables. It could very well change to something else; it’s hard to say what’s going to happen.”
In addition to natural factors such as drought and freezing temperatures, Ross pointed out that farmers continue to cope with challenges.
“One of the biggest impacts on their operations is over-regulation by different government agencies affecting labor and water supplies,” he said.
Still, there is reason for hope, officials say.
“This area is blessed with fertile soils, fairly abundant water and a labor force,” he said. “It also has agricultural infrastructure in place. As long as those things remain, farming will remain a viable business in this area.”
