Have A Look: 2014 Napa County Agricultural Crop Report

PHOTO: Credit Al Francis

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News from the County of Napa:

The gross value of all agricultural production in Napa County was $720,831,700 in 2014, an increase of $58,654,200 from the previous year, according to the 2014 Napa County Agricultural Crop Report, which Agricultural Commissioner Greg Clark presented to the Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting today. 2014 was another extraordinary year with an 8.9% percent increase from the 2013 crop value.

Wine Grape Production

The total value of the 2014 wine grape crop was $714,810,900, up 8.9%, or $58,576,000, from the previous year, and 45.4% or $27,163,500 higher than the previous 10-year average of $491,670,700. Total 2014 wine grape production increased slightly by 760 tons, or 0.4% from 2013. The total wine grape tonnage for the 2014 crop (175,607 tons from 43,591 bearing acres) was 19% higher than the previous 10-year average of 147,605 tons. In 2014, the highest average price paid for any Napa County wine grape variety was $5,923 per ton for Cabernet Sauvignon. There were 19,533 bearing acres of Cabernet Sauvignon in 2014.

Top Wine Grape Varieties

In the past several years, the top three varieties in bearing acres planted were Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot. In 2014, approximately 69,530 tons of Cabernet Sauvignon were harvested and sold at an average price of $5,923 per ton. Chardonnay (6,662 acres) exceeded Merlot (5,259 acres) by 1,403 bearing acres, but Merlot sold at $477 more per ton on average. Merlot production was 18,923 tons, valued at an average of $2,977 per ton. Chardonnay production of 30,571 tons was valued on average at $2,500 per ton. These three varieties together accounted for almost 68% (119,000 tons) of all production and over 76% ($544,587,500) of the total wine grape value.

Value of Other Crops and Livestock

Olive production increased $417,500 primarily due to the alternate bearing nature of olive trees. Vegetable Crop production increased by $53,200 from the previous year, likely due to increased crop yields on existing properties, new or additional crop production and the identification of farmers who were previously unknown to county staff. Floral and Nursery production decreased in value by $153,500 and Field Crop production values increased by $1,300. Ongoing drought conditions were responsible for decreases in Livestock and Poultry values, with Cattle and Sheep production declining $376,900 or 17.1%.

Pest Exclusion Activities

County staff was busy in 2014, surveying for all life stages of the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (GWSS). 1,935 plant shipments were inspected resulting in the discovery of two positive or viable GWSS egg-masses. Out-of-state nursery shipments, inspection of household goods for gypsy moth, and other “high hazard” shipment inspections continued to be a priority for inspectors. We again used a canine dog team occasionally to “sniff out” contraband and prevent it from entering the county through common carriers.

Certified Organic Statistics

The number of certified organic farms rose slightly to 163. In 2014, there were 126 farmers growing 3,430 acres of certified organic winegrapes, or 7.9% of the total bearing vineyard acreage in the county. Total certified organic winegrape production acreage decreased by 240 acres. These statistics do not include the many vineyards that used organic practices that would qualify for organic certification, but whose owners did not choose official certification.

About the Report

The 2014 crop report cover art was created by Silverado Middle School seventh grader Josh Coffman. His work, titled “Vineyard Sunset,” is an acrylic painting which was selected as the winning entry of the eleventh annual Crop Report Cover Artwork Contest. Josh also won the 2013 Crop Report Cover Artwork contest.

The Crop Report Cover Artwork Contest, a partnership between the Ag Commissioner’s office and Napa County Farm Bureau’s “Agriculture in Classroom” program, seeks to promote agricultural awareness through student participation in the contest. First prize winner Josh Coffman received a monetary prize of $250 for his acrylic painting of a vineyard sunset. According to his entry, Josh enjoys the outdoors, animals, camping, swimming, hunting, skiing and riding his scooter.

Second prize went to Paola Delgado, a junior at New Technology High School. Paola received a monetary prize of $150 for her acrylic painting entitled “Watching over the Valley.” Paolo says she also likes animating, drawing, painting, watching movies, gardening, and practicing karate.

The third prize winner is Jacob McLaughlin, a sophomore at New Technology High School. He received a monetary prize of $100 for his digital work entitled “Holding Hands.” Jacob says he also enjoys drawing, reads quite a bit, and is teaching himself how to make video games. Both second and third place entries are displayed inside the front cover of the Crop Report.

All submissions received for the 2014 Crop Report Cover Artwork Contest are available for viewing on the Ag Commissioner’s website at www.countyofnapa.org/agcom/cropreport.

You can read the report online at www.countyofnapa.org/agcom/cropreport. Hard copies are available at Napa County libraries or at the Agricultural Commissioner’s office at 1710 Soscol Ave. in Napa.

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