Cover photo of the 2014 Agricultural Crop and Livestock Report by Monica Nielsen, Mariposa County Agricultural & Standards Inspector I, of South African Boer goats at Ariaz Mountain Ranch along Highway 132 in Mariposa County
August 24, 2015 - At the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors meeting for August 18, 2015, Mariposa County Agricultural Commissioner Cathi Boze provided the Board with the 2014 Agricultural Crop and Livestock Report.
Listen to the 2014 Agricultural Crop and Livestock Report. Around 20 minutes.
Push the Green button to play the Audio.
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The following are excerpts from the meeting:
Agricultural Commissioner Boze said Mariposa County’s total estimated agricultural production was valued at $43,247,000 for an overall increase of $10 million or approximately an increase of 29.85% in production value from 2013.
2014 came in at a record year and is the highest production value since at least 1979.
In 2014 due to the drought the ranchers changed over from stocker/feeders to cow/calf operations. Some ranchers have gone so far as to liquidate their operations. This is what accounts in the huge increase in cattle numbers as the ranchers sold off their livestock.
2014 cattle prices were at an all-time high and continues to climb.
The drought has affected other ag commodities with lower yields of apiary products because of lower yields of colony numbers of bees. Field crops, fruit and nut crops and nursery crops are also showing lower yields and acreages.
Wine grapes dropped 147% in production value due to decreased yields and acreages with some vineyards not being harvested and others being pulled out. There were seven vineyards that were harvested. Mariposa County currently has five wineries in the county with the largest covering 25 acres.
Agricultural Commissioner Boze said with the lower yields the flavor is concentrated so some really good wine should be produced and would buy the 2014 and 2015 vintages.
Cathi Boze said there has been an increase in small producers, primarily vegetables, as ag in the county is diversifying.
There are currently two certified farmer markets in Mariposa County. One on Stroming Road with the other in El Portal. There will also be a farmers market in Woodland as soon as they are certified.
Mariposa County also has two Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) organizations, Mountain Meadow Farms and Raw Roots Farms. These have member/shareholders who invest in a farmer garden and they then get a share of the crop every week.
Mariposa County has seen an increase in Alpaca operations and small farm goat production for meat and brush reduction.
Forest products increased slightly due to the higher cost of timber. This is expected to continue because of the burn areas.
Cathi Boze said agriculture is the engine in this county and we need to promote and protect the industry.
The report is showing gross values only, whether marketed or not, and do not in any manner represent or reflect net income or loss by the ranchers/producers.
Cathi Boze said you can support the agriculture industry by purchasing a Cal Ag License Plate.
Click here for the 2014 Agricultural Crop and Livestock Report
