All-time high for county ag

All-time high for county ag
By Reporter Staff/
Posted: 05/29/2009

Despite tough economic times, agricultural production is alive and well in Solano County.

Increasingly favorable commodity prices helped set an all-time high for agricultural production in Solano in 2008 -- the second year in a row -- according to the county's annual Crop and Livestock Report, released Thursday.

"Value increases were seen in nearly all field crops because of favorable commodity pricing; this despite many grain yields being reduced due to drought," noted Jim Allen, agricultural commissioner and sealer of weights and measures for the county.

The gross value of the more than 80 crops was $292.8 million in 2008, up almost $25 million, or 9 percent from the previous year's total of $268.2 million, according to Allen's report.

Nursery products remain the top crop at $43 million; however, its value plummeted 24 percent from its all-time high of $56.6 million in 2007.

"The nursery industry was hit hard by the economy, with fewer housing starts lowering demand for ornamental plants," Allen noted.

Field crops were valued at $89.4 million, up 63 percent from $54.8 million in 2007. Alfalfa and processing tomatoes experienced both higher commodity prices and increased yields.

"Processing tomatoes rose in value by nearly $6 million," Allen noted.

As for the top 10 crops in the county, the first seven remained unchanged from last year: nursery products, alfalfa, processing tomatoes, cattle, walnuts, milk and wine grapes. Moving up to the eighth position, from 11th last year, was irrigated wheat. In ninth was certified sunflower seeds, which ranked 12th last year. And field corn dropped into the 10th spot, from ninth last year.

But the gross value of crops does not tell the whole story, Allen said.

"While the gross value is a record high, it does not reflect the total contribution of agriculture," he said in a press release announcing the release of the report. "Transportation, processing, marketing and other farm-related services re-spend agricultural dollars to the benefit of the local economy and pushes that number even higher."

Allen also added a new element to the crop report, focusing on international trade.

Thirty-seven commodities from Solano County, including endives, grapes, tomatoes and hay, are exported to 45 countries across six continents, he noted.

For a full copy of the report, visit www.solanocounty.com/ag.