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Home My WebLink About2013 Crop Report Mission Statement  Protect and perpetuate Agriculture, the #1 industry in Butte County, by ensuring a safe and healthy agriculture product.  Promote and provide confidence of buyers and sellers by ensuring fairness in local, national and international trade.  Protect and promote the well being of all our customers and our community through the fair, equitable application of agricultural and weights and measures standards, emphasizing education and cooperation, including the use of technology to enhance customer service. Richard Price Agricultural Commissioner / Director of Weights & Measures L A N D OF N A T U R A L W E A L T H A N D BEAUTY OFFICES OF AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER WEIGHTS AND MEASURES 316 NELSON AVENUE OROVILLE, CALIFORNIA 95965-3318 AGRICULTURAL DEPT.: OFFICE: (530) 538-7381 FAX: (530) 538-7594 RICHARD B. PRICE NAVID A. KHAN Agricultural Commissioner Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Director of Weights and Measures Weights and Measures August 8, 2014 Karen Ross Secretary of California Department of Food and Agriculture The Honorable Butte County Board of Supervisors Doug Teeter, Chair Larry Wahl Maureen Kirk Bill Connelly Steve Lambert Paul Hahn Chief Administrative Officer Dear Sirs and Madams, In accordance with provisions of the California Food and Agriculture Code section 2279, I am submitting the 74th annual crop report that shows the agricultural production and agricultural value in Butte County for the 2013 calendar year. Our department has been providing annual crop reports since 1939. This report is a summary estimate of the acreage, production and gross value of Butte County agricultural products. The values presented in this report are gross values only, and do not reflect net farm income or costs of production and marketing. The estimated gross value of agricultural production in Butte County for 2013 totaled $869,594,761. This is a $148.16 million increase over the 2012 gross value total of $721,434,000. The total increase in gross value of agriculture during 2013 is 51% above our county 10-year average of $575,522,000. I wish to extend my appreciation to the many producers, processors and agencies, both private and governmental, who assist with this report by providing us with specific information pertaining to their business. I would also like to thank the staff of the Butte County Agriculture Department for compiling this report. Respectfully submitted, Richard B. Price Richard B. Price, Agricultural Commissioner Agricultural and Weights & Measures Staff and Associates Agricultural Commissioner/Director of Weights & Measures Richard B. Price Assistant Agricultural Commissioner/Weights & Measures Mary E. Daniels Deputy Directors of Agriculture/Weights & Measures Robert C. Hill, Navid A. Khan, Tom Pisani Supervising Agricultural Biologists Randy Hartman, Katharine Quist Administrative Assistant, Senior Charmaigne Damron Office Specialists Senior Friede Violante, Janice Wallick Senior Agricultural Biologist/Weights & Measures Inspectors Eric Pittman Agricultural Biologist/Weights & Measures Inspectors Anastacia Allen, Apolinar Barrales, Ramon Jauregui, Dan Shrout, Paul Weliver, Amit Sandhu, Eric Jennings, Uriah Johnson Agricultural Technicians Tyson Adler, Hailey Daniels, Gary Imhoff, James Mathys, Liz Mayhugh & Janessa Walters GIS Technician Sally Loker USDA Wildlife Specialist Matt Albertsen Mike Stewart The 2013 Crop Report is dedicated to Mr. Mike Stewart. Mike worked in the Agricultural Commissioner system for 37+ years. Mike was one of the pioneers that successfully implemented laws and regulations with respect to pesticide use, pest exclusion, and federal phytosanitary issues in California. Mike’s common sense approach to regulatory issues as well as day to day activities will not only be missed by our department, but also by the industry. On behalf of the Butte County Agricultural Commissioner’s office we congratulate Mike on his well deserved retirement. 2013 MILLION DOLLAR CROPS Rank Crop Value 1 WALNUTS $285,436,160 2 RICE $200,611,221 3 ALMONDS $196,059,320 4 PRUNES $36,272,902 5 NURSERY STOCK $29,458,000 6 RICE SEED $13,029,600 7 PEACHES – CLINGSTONE $12,081,300 8 CATTLE & CALVES $10,850,000 9 TIMBER $8,292,000 10 FRUIT & NUTS (Misc.)$7,095,673 11 APIARY/POLLINATION $7,092,000 12 FIELD CROP misc.$6,363,200 13 DRYLAND PASTURE & RANGE $6,037,500 14 SEED (Misc)$5,481,000 15 ALMOND HULLS $4,869,810 16 KIWIS $4,811,100 17 PISTACHIOS $4,501,875 18 OLIVE OIL $3,609,088 19 WHEAT $2,688,700 20 HAY, ALFALFA $1,802,250 21 VEGETABLE $1,785,000 22 PASTURE, IRRIGATED $1,764,000 23 CITRUS $1,277,000 24 OLIVES, TABLE $1,210,950 25 BEANS, DRY/ EDIBLE $1,180,200 FIVE YEAR SUMMARY OF CROP VALUES 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 APIARY PRODUCTS 7,153,942$ 7,078,000$ 5,813,000$ 7,340,000$ 7,977,000$ FIELD CROPS 201,062,334$ 198,690,000$ 160,306,000$ 175,063,000$ 220,799,346$ FRUIT & NUT CROPS 280,076,771$ 371,097,000$ 416,935,000$ 469,591,000$ 557,225,178$ LIVESTOCK 8,904,077$ 11,714,000$ 10,366,000$ 11,421,000$ 12,099,000$ NURSERY STOCK 26,750,760$ 23,837,000$ 21,728,000$ 21,558,000$ 29,458,000$ SEED CROPS 14,861,023$ 13,566,000$ 18,648,000$ 16,496,000$ 18,510,600$ VEGETABLE CROPS 770,400$ 795,000$ 851,000$ 872,000$ 1,785,000$ ORGANIC CROPS 9,515,000$ 13,448,637$ CROP TOTALS 539,579,307.00$ 626,777,000$ 634,647,000$ 711,856,000$ 861,302,761$ TIMBER 4,433,950.00$ 4,747,000$ 9,465,000$ 9,578,000$ 8,292,000$ GRAND TOTAL 544,013,257.00$ 631,524,000$ 644,112,000$ 721,434,000$ 869,594,761$ FIVE YEAR SUMMARY OF PLANT CROP ACRES 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 FIELD CROPS 371,082 367419 370401 373484 367,783 FRUIT & NUT CROPS 90842 97709 93083 95043 96,928 SEED CROPS 5482 5785 6949 6468 6,923 VEGETABLE CROPS 740 755 792 789 844 GRAND TOTAL 468146 471668 471225 475784 472478 2013 FRUIT & NUT CROPS ACREAGE STATISTICS ORCHARD CROPS BEARING ACREAGE NON-BEARING ACREAGE TOTAL ACREAGE ALMONDS 37,512 909 38,421 APPLES 65 --65 APRICOTS 34 --34 AVOCADOS 1 --1 CHERRIES 391 --391 CHESTNUTS 42.3 4.7 47 GRAPES (All)159 18 177 KIWIS 610.9 4.1 615 MANDARINS 91 --91 NECTARINES 8 --8 OLIVES (Oil)1,855 200 2,055 OLIVES (Table)690 --690 ORANGES 81 --81 PEACHES, CLINGSTONE 2,036 4 2,040 PEACHES, FREESTONE 56 --56 PEARS 13 --13 PECANS 361 --361 PERSIMMONS 96 --96 PISTACHIOS 673 --673 PLUMS 6 --6 PRUNES 8,815 513 9,328 WALNUTS, ENGLISH 43,389 3,000 46,389 WALNUTS, BLACK 30 --30 TOTAL 97015.2 4652.8 101668 *Data from California Crop and Livestock Reporting Service and other sources 2013 FRUIT & NUT CROPS ACREAGE, PRODUCTION AND VALUE Crop Year Production Havested Acreage Value (Per Acre)Total Unit Crop Total Value ($) ALMONDS 2013 37,512 0.93 34,886 Ton 5,620 196,059,320 2012 39,756 0.88 34,985 Ton 4,600 160,931,000 HULLS 2013 -- -- 44,271 Ton 110 4,869,810 2012 -- --44,718 Ton 103 4,606,000 CITRUS 2013 172 5.4 928 Ton 1,375 1,277,000 2012 175 4.85 848 Ton 950 806,000 KIWIS 2013 611 7.5 4,582 Ton 1,050 4,811,100 2012 676 8.29 5,604 Ton 990 5,548,000 OLIVES (OIL)2013 1,855 3.2 5,936 Ton 608 3,609,088 2012 2,055 4.3 8,837 Ton 560 4,949,000 OLIVES (TABLE)2013 690 1.8 1,242 Ton 975 1,210,950 2012 690 3.26 2,249 Ton 976 2,195,000 PEACHES 2013 2,092 16.5 34,518 Ton 350 12,081,300 2012 2,091 15.62 32,661 Ton 303 9,896,000 PISTACHIOS 2013 673 1.3 875 Ton 5,145 4,501,875 2012 487 1.55 755 Ton 4,336 3,274,000 PRUNES 2013 8,815 2.5 22,037 Ton 1,646 36,272,902 2012 9,820 2.43 23,863 Ton 1,363 32,525,000 WALNUTS 2013 43,419 1.9 82,496 Ton 3,460 285,436,160 2012 37,970 2.13 80,876 Ton 2,900 234,540,000 MISC. **2013 1,089 -- --Ton --7,095,673 2012 1,323 -- --Ton --10,321,000 TOTAL 96,928 -- --Ton --$557,225,178 ** Apples, blueberries, cherries, grapes (all), pears, pecans, persimmons, fruit trees Acres may vary from state report. Figures are based on harvested acres only. 2013 FIELD CROP ACREAGE, PRODUCTION AND VALUE CROP YEAR ACREAGE VALUE (PER ACRE)TOTAL CROP TOTAL BEANS, DRY EDIBLE 2013 937 0.9 843 $1,400 $1,180,200 2012 794 0.98 778 $958 $918,000 ALFALFA 2013 1,335 6 8,010 $225 $1,802,250 2012 1,080 6.16 6,652 $215 $1,430,000 PASTURE, IRRIGATED 2013 14,700 -- --$120 $1,764,000 2012 17,000 -- --$120 $2,040,000 PASTURE, OTHER 2013 241,500 -- --$25 $6,037,500 2012 245,000 -- --$19 $4,655,000 RICE 2013 98,445 4.6 452,847 $443 $200,611,221 2012 94,451 4.36 412,198 $375 $154,574,000 SAFFLOWER 2013 447 1.5 671 $525 $352,275 2012 288 0.89 256 $495 $126,720 WHEAT 2013 4,871 2.4 11,690 $230 $2,688,700 2012 8,973 2.65 23,778 $230 $5,469,000 MISC. **2013 5,548 -- -- --$6,363,200 2012 5,902 -- -- --$6,560,000 TOTAL 2013 367,783 -- -- -- $220,799,346 2013 SEED ACREAGE, PRODUCTION & VALUE CROP YEAR ACREAGE VALUE (PER ACRE)TOTAL CROP TOTAL RICE 2013 4,880 8,900 43,432,000 $0.30 $13,029,600 2012 4,241 9,100 38,593,000 $0.29 $11,192,000 MISC. 2013 2,043 -- -- --$5,481,000 2012 2,227 -- -- --$5,304,000 TOTAL 6,923 -- -- --$18,510,600 2013 APIARY PRODUCTS, PRODUCTION & VALUE CROP YEAR PRODUCTION VALUE PER COLONY TOTAL POLLINATION 2013 53,789 $143 $7,092,000 2012 45,650 $143 $6,528,000 OTHER APIARY PRODUCTS 2013 -- --$885,000 2012 -- --$812,000 TOTAL 53,789 $143.00 $7,977,000 2013 ORGANIC CROP STATISTICS Registered Organic Producers* 77 Farms 15,269 Acres $13,448,637 Total Value *Includes alfalfa, almonds, apples, berries, cherries, cut flowers, grapes, herbs, kiwi fruit, livestock, dairy, mandarins, nursery stock, olives, peaches, persimmons, prunes, rice, safflower, tomatoes, vegetables, vetch, walnuts and wild rice. 2013 VEGETABLE VALUE Certified Producers* $872,000 - 2012 Total Value $1,785,000 - 2013 Total Value *Includes asparagus, broccoli, corn, cucumbers, melons, onions, oriental vegetables, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, etc… 2013 NURSERY ACREAGE & VALUE 238 - 2012 Total Acres 286 - 2013 Total Acres $21,558,000 - 2012 Total Value $29,458,000 - 2013 Total Value *Includes broad leaved evergreens, coniferous evergreens, deciduous fruit, nut and shade trees, shrubs, kiwi vines, herbaceous perennials, indoor decorative plants, bulbs, rhizomes, bedding plants, and specimen trees. 2013 LIVESTOCK & POULTRY ITEM YEAR NO. OF HEAD TOTAL LIVE WT.$ PER HEAD TOTAL CATTLE & CALVES 2013 15,500 77,500 $140.00 $10,850,000 2012 15,400 77,000 $124.00 $9,548,000 SHEEP 2013 2,000 3,000 $165.00 $495,000 2012 1,800 2,700 $100.00 $270,000 MISC.2013 -- -- --$754,000 2012 -- -- --$673,000 TOTAL -- -- --$12,099,000 2013 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS ITEM YEAR PRODUCTION UNIT $ PER UNIT TOTAL MILK, MARKET 2013 46,053 Cwt $19.46 $896,000 2012 50,598 Cwt $17.00 $872,000 MILK, MANUFACTURING 2013 796 Cwt $18.84 $15,000 2012 3,172 Cwt $18.00 $58,000 TOTAL 46,849 Cwt --$911,000 2013 HARVEST TIMBER PRODUCTION & VALUE ITEM YEAR PRODUCTION (BFT)VALUE HARVESTED TIMER 2013 38,101,000 $8,283,000 2012 45,198,000 $9,573,000 OTHER TIMBER PRODUCTS 2013 --$9,000.00 2012 --$5,000 TOTAL --$8,292,000 *Board feet is the quantity of timber cut and scaled. **Timber production and value data are provided by State Board of Equalization, Timber Tax Division. 2013 Butte County International Trading Partners Butte County experienced a steady growth in Agricultural Exports in 2013. The agricultural export business continues to be a bright spot for Butte County’s economy. Commodities Exported Almonds Figs Seeds: Other Tomatoes Almond Hulls Kiwi Stone Fruit: Other Vine Seeds Air Plants Cole Crops Plums: All Rice: All Sunflower Seeds Timber Walnuts Destination Countries Argentina Czech Republic Jordan Russian Federation Australia Denmark Latvia Republic of Korea Austria Egypt Lebanon Samoa Bahrain El Salvador Libya Saudi Arabia Belarus Belgium Estonia France Lithuania Malaysia Serbia Singapore Bolivia French Polynesia Mexico South Africa Bosnia/ Herzegovina Botswana Brazil British Virgin Islands Cambodia Canada Chile Germany Ghana Greece Guatemala Hong Kong India Indonesia Mongolia Morocco Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Norway Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Thailand Trinidad & Tobago Turkey Colombia Israel Pakistan Ukraine Costa Rica Italy Panama United Arab Emirates Croatia Japan People’s Republic of China United Kingdom Cyprus Poland Uruguay Vietnam 2013 Sustainable Agricultural Report This report summarizes the varied activities and the methods used to prevent and control the spread of exotic pests in Butte County. The pest detection, pest exclusion, and pest eradication programs serve to protect the county from infestation of introduced pests. Through monitoring and quick response to small infestations, damaging pest populations can be controlled before they require a large-scale response. Biological Control provides a method of sustainable pest control with a minimum impact to the environment. PEST DETECTION Approximately 1,117 traps were placed throughout the County to detect the presence of these pests: Mediterranean, Oriental and Melon Fruit Flies; Japanese and Khapra Beetles; European Grapevine and Gypsy Moth; Glassy-winged Sharpshooter and Asian Citrus Psyllid. PEST EXCLUSION Approximately 6,597 shipments were inspected for live exotic pests including the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter and Sudden Oak Death resulting in 21 Notice of Rejections issued. PEST MANAGMENT Weed Control Projects Control Activity Chemical Distribution Skeleton Weed Chondrilla juncea Herbicide Aminnopyralid 5 sites ~ 15 acres Knap Weed, species Centaurea species Herbicide Aminnopyralid 3 sites ~ 35 acres Oblong Spurge Euphorbia oblongata Herbicide Triclopyr 3 sites in Paradise 1 site in Thermalito 1 site Chico Sesbania Susbania punicea Herbicide Triclopyr Multiple locations in Oroville Broom, species – In 2012 a total of 36 linear miles were treated with herbicide in Butte County Spanish Spartium junceum Herbicide Triclopyr Multiple County Locations French Cytisus monspesslarus Herbicide Triclopyr Multiple County Locations Scotch Cytisus scoparius Herbicide Triclopyr Multiple County Locations Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria Bio-control Various Agents ˃500 acres in Oroville White Horsenettle Solanum marginatum Herbicide Triclopyr 1 site South Gridley Hwy 99 Wingleaf Primrose Ludwigia decurrans Herbicide Glyphosate Limited locations in Richvale Insect Control Projects Control Activity Chemical Distribution Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Homalodisca coagulata Insecticide Imidacloprid 4 sq. miles in Chico, Eradicated Butte County Weights and Measures The Butte County Agricultural Commissioner/Director of Weights & Measures plays a vital role in the economic activity of the county. The program serves the community by safeguarding weighing and measuring accuracy and assuring confidence and integrity of purchased items. The benefit our office provides ensures fair competition for industry and accurate value comparison for consumers. As a neutral third party between buyers and sellers we:  Test weighing and measuring devices for correctness  Examine and evaluate the work of service repairman  Verify the quantity of bulk and packaged commodities  Check consumer packages for proper labeling  Inspect price scanner systems for accuracy  Review weighmaster certificates, licensing requirements, proper bin and truck tares  Regulate the advertising, labeling and quality standards for petroleum products Weights & Measures Inspections Performed in 2013 SCALES METERS QUANTITY CONTROL 367 - Computing 2,039 - Gas Pumps 1,680 – Package Audits 110 - Truck 201 – Electric Utility 450 – Packages Scanned 86 – Dormant/ Platform 150 – Gas Utility 10 – Overcharges 53 – Counter 111 – Taxi 5 – Packages Off Sale 50 – Farmer’s Market Scales 107- Water Utility 3 – Bulk Commodity 49 – Recycling 38 – Wholesale Gas & Diesel 1 – Labeling 29 – Shipping 36 – Water Vending Machines PETROLEUM 18 – Animal/ Livestock 22 - Petroleum Trucks 78 – Initial Inspections 15 - Gold/ Jewelry/ Rx 6 – Carpet/ Fabric/ Rope/ Wire 15 – Antifreeze/ Diesel/ Gas Samples 7 - Landscape 6 - Stationary Propane WEIGHMASTER 6 – Batch Hopper 2 - Compressed Natural Gas 28 – Audits 1 – Monorail 24 – Truck Tares 8 – Follow Ups Ensuring Accurate Propane Deliveries Propane gas in Butte County is big business. We have six propane gas companies operating in our county using over twenty-five propane trucks to provide service to thousands of residences in unincorporated areas. These customers depend on propane gas to heat their homes and water heaters and to run appliances. To deliver and sell their product, gas companies use trucks with meters mounted on them. The propane is stored under pressure to keep it in liquid form making it practical to transport and measure. To ensure accurate deliveries to consumers, the County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures tests these meters annually. A specialized piece of equipment called a propane prover is used to test the meters. Prior to 2013, we did not own a prover; we shared a 100 gallon prover with five neighboring counties. In order to use the prover, a $300.00 annual fee was charged and the money deposited into a maintenance and replacement fund. The challenge with sharing the prover was that we only had access to it for three months during the busiest time of the year for propane sales. This made it difficult to test all the truck meters that needed testing, especially those that failed and had to be recalibrated and retested. We needed access to a 100 gallon propane prover all year. However, with the purchase price of approximately $20,000 new and $10,000 used, the likelihood of obtaining a prover seemed remote. During a Deputy Sealers meeting Kern County Weights & Measures announced that their Board of Supervisors approved the funds for the purchase of a new 100 gallon propane prover and that their old one was going to be auctioned off. We approached Kern County and told them we were interested in purchasing the prover. They decided to donate it to us at no cost. After $3,000 in repairs and upgrades it will go to the State of California Division of Measurement Standards Metrology Lab for certification. Having access to a 100 gallon propane prover year round will help us keep up with inspection demands and ensure that propane gas deliveries are accurate and correct. Department of Agriculture 316 Nelson Ave. Oroville, CA 95965