Madera County crop value hits record $1.73B

Source: The Business Journal

Madera County’s 2012 gross ag value grew by 11 percent to hit a record $1.73 billion thanks to a jump in almond and grape production. It compares to a gross value of $1.56 billion in 2011. “This is good news for a recovering economy,” said Stevie McNeill, Madera County agricultural commissioner, speaking to the Madera County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. She said a $2 billion crop value is likely for 2013. The gross value of almonds, nuts and hulls reached $487.3 million, followed by grapes at $360.7 million, milk at $288.7 million and cattle and calves at $51.4 million. Grape value grew by 21 percent in 2012. Almonds retained the top crop rank for the third year in a row. The 2011 gross value for almonds, nuts and hulls came in at $414.4 million. Fruit and nut gross value grew by 23.10 percent in 2012. McNeill said 30,000 more acres of almonds are in the ground to add to 92,000 acres that are producing. She also forecasts a sizeable increase in wine grape plantings. Milk, which was the second-top grossing crop in the 2011 crop report, fell to $288.7 million because of problems with prices, McNeill said. Milk value reached $325.9 million in 2011. The decrease also reflected the fact that some dairies closed their doors during the year. McNeill said wine grape value grew because Madera County is becoming a wine destination. “We also saw improved prices in raisin production, she said. She added that the county saw a decrease in production of stone fruit and vegetables. Also, field crops were down some because of the drought, McNeill said. The market for peaches was fairly good, McNeill added. The cattle market was also good, she said. Gross value of livestock and poultry grew by 13.84 percent. The county reported a gross value of $51.4 million for cattle and calves in 2012 compared to $45.4 million in 2011. Nursery growth remained slow, but fruit and nut tree nurseries held their own. Cherries had a good year, especially for growers who hit the cherry export market early. Madera County is the top fig-producing county in the state and although the amount of crop has shrunk, prices were up in 2012. Olives also had a profitable year, McNeill said. “There is an emerging market for olive oil, she said. Citrus acreage stayed about the same, but some navel orange orchards were replaced with mandarin trees.

URL to original article: http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/agriculture/7180-madera-county-crop-value-hits-record-1-73b

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