Ag Contributes $1.5 Billion to Yolo Economy

By Beth Gabor

On Tuesday, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors received the 2010 Yolo County Agricultural Report – an annual report which summarizes the acreage, production and gross valuation of all agricultural commodities produced in Yolo County in 2010.  The total gross valuation for all agricultural commodities in 2010 was $443,541,692 which represents a decrease of 4% from the 2009 crop values.

“These production figures only partially reflect the overall measure of the economic impact agriculture has on Yolo County’s economy,” said Yolo County Supervisor Duane Chamberlain.  “Field labor, processing, transporting, marketing and other farm-related services significantly multiply the value agriculture has to our county.  When the multiplier effect of related industries is considered, agriculture contributes well over $1.5 billion to the economy of Yolo County.”

Processing tomatoes, which have been Yolo County’s “King of Crops” for 50 years, remained the county’s leading commodity at a value of $87,920,291 despite a 31% decline due to decreased acreage, lower gross production per acre, and a reduction in price per ton as a result of increased production in southern growing regions which had been impacted by prior year water shortages. 

Rice production, Yolo County’s number two crop, increased 5% as water restrictions in the western region of the county were lifted, allowing for the return of planting in that area.  Wine grape values, Yolo County’s number three crop, dropped 19% primarily due to increased inventories in a weak economy.  Hay, organic production, walnuts, almonds, corn, wheat, and cattle and calves rounded out the top ten crops for 2010

For more information on the acreage, production and gross valuation of agricultural commodities produced in Yolo County in 2010, visit: www.yolocounty.org (go to Government > Agriculture & Cooperative Extension > Agriculture and Weights & Measures) or contact the Yolo County Agriculture Department at (530) 666-8140.