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Receive the 2024 Solano County Crop and Livestock Report from the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures recommends the Board of Supervisors receive a presentation on the 2024 Solano County Crop and Livestock Report.
SUMMARY:
Each year the Agricultural Commissioner submits the annual Solano County Crop and Livestock Report to the Board of Supervisors and the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Compilation of the annual report is a mandated duty of the County Agricultural Commissioner, pursuant to California Food and Agricultural Code §§ 2272 and 2279.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Crop and Livestock Report compiles agricultural production data and gross values received by farmers and ranchers for their products. Solano County’s 2024 agricultural production value is calculated at $437,938,000, a 5% decrease from 2023. Despite this downturn, the 2024 production value is the second highest value on record.
Almonds regained the top crop position in 2024 at a total value of $78,351,000, up $34.5 million from 2023, with prices rising above $4,000 per ton for the first time in five years. Although growers produced California’s third largest almond crop in 2024, it was short of projections resulting in tightened supplies, continued strong demand and increased prices. After processing tomatoes yielded the county’s first $100 million crop in 2023, supply inventories rebounded and contract prices fell accordingly in 2024, dropping the year’s value to $55,803,000 but still remaining the second highest value tomato crop on record. Cattle and calves totaled $48,861,000, increasing $8.4 million above 2023, marking an all-time high. Nursery products dropped 8% in value to $38,281,000. Winegrapes decreased nearly $4.5 million in value to $30,547,000 with 4,500 tons less fruit harvested than the previous year, but still posting the second highest value grape crop in county history. Alfalfa prices fell again in 2024, but production acreage and total harvest volume remained steady. Solano walnut growers harvested the smallest acreage and in turn produced the smallest crop in two decades; however, prices recovered to their highest point since 2017 following an increase in demand as statewide acreage continued to decline. Prunes, pollination and sunflower seed rounded out 2024’s top ten crops.
The 2024 report is the 75th annual edition. To celebrate this milestone the report features a timeline of notable agricultural events and achievements from the late 1940’s to 2024.
The report serves as a resource to a wide spectrum of users, providing agricultural statistics for trend analysis. Although the report captures the value of harvested agricultural commodities, it does not reflect the overall value of agriculture to Solano County. Land values associated with productive soils, water availability, proximity to markets, exports, secondary processing, employment opportunities, and value-added enterprises serve as economic multipliers to the listed crop value.
In addition, the preparation of the report could not be completed without the assistance of Solano County agricultural producers and the efforts of departmental staff in compiling the data and assembling the report for publication.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could elect not to receive the 2024 Crop and Livestock Report. This is not recommended because the record of the county’s agricultural production reflects the viability of this important economic sector.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The annual Solano County Crop and Livestock Report is produced with assistance of numerous farmers, ranchers, boards, commissions and agencies.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION