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Receive the 2018 Solano County Crop and Livestock Report from the Interim Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Interim Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures recommends that the Board of Supervisors receive a presentation on the 2018 Solano County Crop and Livestock Report.
SUMMARY:
Each year the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office submits, to the Board of Supervisors and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, the Annual Crop and Livestock Report (Report). Compilation of the annual Report is a mandated duty of the County Agricultural Commissioner pursuant to the California Food and Agricultural Code section 2279. This year the Report recognizes the overall value of Solano County’s seed production industry.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Production of the Annual Crop and Livestock Report is mandated by the Food and Agricultural Code and is included in the normal budgeted activities of the Agriculture Department’s FY2019/20 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The Crop Report provides the overall values received by producers for their products in the 2018 cropping season. Solano County’s overall agricultural production value increased $11.6 million in total. Nursery products ranked number one in crop value at $43.2 million for 2018 despite the commodities 3% decrease in value resulting from a decrease in acreage. Processing tomatoes moved up two slots to the second place with $34.7 million in value which represents a 28% increase from 2017. Alfalfa (Hay) increased by 24% in value to $31.7 million and moved up to number three. Cattle & Calves increased in overall value from to $25.0 million in 2017 to $30.4 million in 2018 and moved up from number six to number four. The change was primarily due to an improvement in available field and forage crops. Grapes (Wine) increased an outstanding 44% in value from $20.4 million in 2017 to $29.4 million in 2018 and ending at the number five position. Almonds ranked number six with a total value of $29.3 million. Sunflower (seed) showed a substantial increase of 46% in overall value going from $17.2 million in 2017 to $25.2 million in 2018. Both yield per acre and value per pound showed positive trends for Sunflower (seed). Walnuts dropped from the number one crop in 2017 with a value of $47.4 million to the eighth position in 2018 with a total value of $25.1 million. Wheat dropped 2% in value, however, it moved up in ranking from number ten to number nine. Not seen in the “Top Ten” since 2006 and taking the tenth place are Prunes (dried), which rose by 34% from $4.4 million in 2017 to $5.9 million in 2018.
An overview of the top ten crop ranking is provided in Attachment A.
The report serves as a resource to a wide spectrum of users who use the agricultural statistics for trend analysis. Although the report captures the value of harvested crops 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 result in an approximate four fold economic multiplier 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 department staff in compiling the data and assembling the report for publication.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could elect not to receive the 2018 Annual Crop and Livestock Report. This is not recommended because the record of the county’s agricultural production is a reflection of the viability of this important economic sector.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Annual Crop and Livestock Report is produced with assistance of numerous farmers, ranchers, boards, commissions and agencies.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION