To: Board of Supervisors of Sonoma County
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures
Staff Name and Phone Number: Andrew F. Smith, (707) 565-2371
Vote Requirement: Informational Only
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
2019 Sonoma County Crop Report
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Receive the 2019 Sonoma County Crop Report - Informational Only
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Executive Summary:
The Agricultural Commissioner is required by law to annually compile and report crop and livestock statistics, and pest exclusion, management, and eradication activities to the Board of Supervisors and the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The Sonoma County Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures has compiled the annual Crop Report every year since 1928. The 2019 report shows a total gross production value of $958,546,600, a 13% decrease from 2018 value of $1,106,662,100.
All Crop Reports are available on the Department’s website at <http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Agriculture-Weights-and-Measures/Crop-Reports/>.
Discussion:
The annual Crop Report provides an accounting of Sonoma County agricultural commodity production and gross values, not net farm income, and is used in the community as a valuable resource for economic development, tourism, financing, and history by illustrating trends in agricultural production.
The Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures activities are also highlighted in the report and include a summary of accomplishments for the Agriculture, Land Stewardship, and Weights & Measures Divisions. Data on non-agricultural crops such as commercial fish landings and timber harvests are also included from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Board of Equalization respectively.
This year’s crop report features agricultural education and the importance of this education in the long-term success of agriculture in Sonoma County.
The reported total value for 2019 was $958,546,600, a 13% decrease from the 2018 value of $1,106,662,100. This is the gross value and does not account for costs such as for production, processing, and bringing the commodity to market.
While wine grape tonnage saw a decrease of 16.7% from 2018, the value per ton for wine grapes stayed steady at $2,846 per ton. As a result, total wine grape value decreased 16% compared to 2018. This reduction was a result of the bumper crop of 2018, one of the largest grape crushes ever. Apples also saw a decrease in tonnage by 5%, however apple prices increased by 15% per ton from 2018. Due to the continued demand and premium prices for Gravenstein and organic apples, overall value of apples increased by 9.4% compared to 2018.
The value of livestock and poultry products decreased by 12% compared to 2018. This decrease is largely due to a 15% reduction in milk production despite a 5% increase in organic and a 14.6% increase in conventional milk value per unit. Wool production decreased 37% from 2018 largely due to the lack of global demand for wool.
Nursery product value was up 5% from 2018 and is attributed to an increase in bedding and ornamental plant sales.
This data is provided through surveying more than 1,000 Sonoma County producers. Without the support and response to these surveys this report would not be possible.
Prior Board Actions:
The Board received the Sonoma County Crop Report annually.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
2019 Sonoma County Crop Report
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
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