The farmers of Stanislaus County topped $3 billion in gross
income for the first time last year, according to a report presented Tuesday.
Caseri cautioned, as usual, that the report does not reflect production costs, notably the high feed costs that have squeezed dairy profit margins.
Almonds and walnuts had an outstanding 2011, while prices
improved for milk, still the top-grossing product, Agricultural Commissioner Gary
Caseri told the Board of Supervisors.
The $3.07 billion total is 18 percent more than the record
$2.57 billion for 2010 and more than double the 2003 figure.
Caseri cautioned, as usual, that the report does not reflect production costs, notably the high feed costs that have squeezed dairy profit margins.
But the report notes how the income ripples through the
economy. Farmers spend money on tractors, pesticides, labor and other needs.
People process crops, haul the goods and do other work related to producing
food.
"The number of businesses allied with agriculture either
as a supplier, a processor of raw goods or as a handler of finished products is
quite astonishing," the report says.
AT A GLANCE
The top 10 for 2011 gross income in Stanislaus County:
• 1. Milk $766.2 million
• 2. Almonds $628.3 million
• 3. Chickens $220.1 million
• 4. Cattle $207.6 million
• 5. Walnuts $175.7 million
• 6. Silage (feed) $156.3 million
• 7. Tomatoes $91 million
• 8. Deciduous nursery $71.4 million
• 9. Alfalfa $70.1 million
• 10. Turkeys $67.2 million
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