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Receive the 2025 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 2025 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 FY2026/27 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 2025 agricultural production value is calculated at $476,209,000, an increase of $38,271,000 or 9% over 2024. This is the highest value on record, surpassing the previous peak of $460,391,000 set in 2023.
Almonds remained the county’s leading crop at $108,107,000 in value, up $29.75 million from 2024. This marks the first time almonds have exceeded $100 million and establishes a new high for any single crop in county history, topping the 2023 processing tomato value of $101.5 million. Prices rose for the third consecutive year, and the crop reached a new high of 23,700 tons as orchards planted in recent years continued to come into full production. Cattle and calves also set a new record at $65,369,000, an increase of more than $16.5 million from 2024. Nationwide beef cattle inventories remained at historically low levels in 2025 due to persistent drought across prominent ranching states while elevated production costs and rising beef prices drove more cattle to market, discouraging rebuilding and expansion of herds. Re-emergence of New World screwworm in Mexico halted cattle imports over the southern U.S. border, additionally constraining supply and supporting higher prices.
Processing tomatoes declined by $5.5 million to $50,266,000 after base contract pricing dropped 3% and some processors limited tonnage to accommodate existing product inventories. Late-season rains also prevented harvest of some fields. As a result, crop volume fell over 5% from the previous year, but remained near the 20-year average. Improved pricing and a larger harvest of select red varietals increased winegrape value 2% to $31,199,000 despite an ongoing softening in the wine market and corresponding oversupply of grapes that left some Suisun Valley and Ryer Island vineyards unharvested. Suisun Valley further earned national recognition from USA Today readers as the country’s ‘Best Wine Region.’
Nursery products decreased more than $10 million to $28,270,000 following operational adjustments at one of the county’s larger nurseries. Alfalfa prices trended downward, but more acreage was planted in 2025, resulting in greater overall production and a 9% increase in value to $16,606,000. Harvested walnut acreage continued to decline year over year, as did total yield; however, following a smaller statewide 2024 crop, supplies tightened and prices increased in 2025 for a third straight year, leading to a total value of $15,251,000. Prunes remained the county’s largest tree fruit crop, grossing $12,388,000. Apiary pollination values remained comparable to recent years totaling $9,345,000. Finally, corn (grain) re-entered the top 10 commodities for the first time since 2014, at $7,369,000.
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.
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 2025 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