Tehama County's Ag crops down $34 M

Jun 17, 2009      Red Bluff Daily News

Geoff Johnson

Jun. 17, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- After a record year in 2007, Tehama County's crops brought $34 million less into the county in 2008, according to the latest figures from the Tehama County Department of Agriculture.

Sliding prices were the biggest culprit in bringing the county's gross crop values down to $159 million, the lowest they have been in three years.

A sagging worldwide economy reduced the demand for imported goods across the 49 countries the county exports to, with corn silage and walnuts selling for less than half their 2007 prices.

The combination of an April freeze and a May heat wave knocked olive returns down 47.4 percent, and the freeze also decreased returns on wine grapes by nearly 62 percent.

Not all sales decreased.

California's ongoing drought raised the value of alfalfa from $140 to $186 a ton, and combined with increases in production and total tons sold, alfalfa sales grew by 76 percent, or by nearly $2 million.

The demand for honey, queen bees and wax increased even as colony values dropped, leading to almost $3.4 million more in sales than in 2007.

The complete report is available online at www.co.tehama.ca.us. Information is available at 527- 4504.

Staff Writer Geoff Johnson can be reached at 527-2153, extension 114, or at gjohnson@redbluffdailynews.com

Newstex ID: 35826819

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