For Crop Reports dating from 1921 through 2006. Please follow this link to the Napa County Department of Agriculture website.

http://www.co.napa.ca.us/BUSINESS/Apps/CropReports/

 The 2006 Napa County Agricultural Crop Report was presented to the Napa County Board of Supervisors today. The picture on the cover was painted by Erin Day, a Napa High School student and the top winner in our third annual Crop Report Cover Contest! In addition to providing statistical data on our 2006 agricultural production, this year’s report highlights the Farm Worker Appreciation Art and Essay Contest, which is open to all third and fourth grade students in Napa County.  We have included winning entries for this year: a picture drawn by Juan Martinez and an essay written by Claudia Rodriguez.  Both students are in Mrs. Bogart’s third grade class at Calistoga Elementary School.

Total Value
Total value of all crops and livestock for 2006 was $ 477,780,800 - a decrease of approximately 12.9%, or $ 70,839,750, from the 2005 total. This decrease is primarily due to the decrease in winegrape production.  The total value of the wine grape crop went down 13.3% ($ 71,727,100).  Production also decreased by 28,249 tons, or 15.6%. Total tonnage for the 2006 crop (152,776.3 tons) was 20% higher than the previous 10-year average of 127,356.1 tons.
 
Wine Grape Production
The value of wine grape production was $469,072,900, which represents 98.2% of the value for all crops and livestock.  The average price paid per ton was $3,071.19, compared to $2,987.12 per ton paid in 2005, an increase of $ 84.07 per ton or 2.8%.  Once again, grapes produced in Napa County received the highest average price of any grape-growing district statewide! 2006 was the thirty-first year in a row where our winegrapes received the highest average price per ton in the state (1976 being the first year that those records were published).  In 2006, the highest price paid for any Napa County wine grape variety was $6,500.00 per ton for Roussanne.

Top Two Varieties
In the past, the top two varieties were Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.  This year, Merlot exceeded Chardonnay by 46 bearing acres as well as by $507.93 in average price per ton.   Approximately 56,247.1 tons of Cabernet Sauvignon were harvested and sold at an average price of $ 4,126.26 per ton.  Merlot production was 27,042.1 tons valued on average at $2,690.91 per ton. These two varieties account for 54.5% of all production (83,289.2 tons) and 65% of wine grape value ($304,858,016.16).  In 2006, bearing acreages and average price per ton increased.  Tonnage and, therefore, total value of winegrapes decreased.  2005 was an amazing bumper crop year with over 181,025.4 tons produced and explains the considerable decrease we see in winegrape crop value from last year.

Value of Other Crops and Livestock
The value of most other crops and livestock has decreased since 2005.   Both the olive oil and strawberry industries have grown.  Olive acreage increased by 12%, but production was down, as is common for this cyclic crop. We continue to see some walnut production, but the percentage of the whole is less than .004%.  Vegetable production increased in part because of the efforts of the certified producers who participate in local farmers’ markets.  Floral and nursery increased in value because of the introduction of some new businesses and because of the higher prices commanded by certified organic products.  We had plenty of rain early last year which resulted in more and higher quality foragable rangeland for our cattle industry.
 

Biological Control Activities
The report also lists biological control activities undertaken by county agricultural biologists to manage certain pests using natural organisms.  Pests for which bio-controls are selected are usually of general significance to the county, and species approved for release have gone through a thorough screening and testing process.  Bio-controls hopefully become self-perpetuating, and thereby reduce the need for chemical and other methods of pest control.  In 2006, the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner, USDA and CDFA continued to oversee new biocontrol releases of Puccinia jaceae, a rust fungus for the control of Yellow Star Thistle. 

Pest Exclusion Activities
County agricultural biologists were busy in 2006, surveying and finding Glassywinged Sharpshooter egg masses. While inspecting almost 2,600 plant shipments, we found six viable egg masses.  These finds resulted in the rejection of all plants in those shipments.   Although the CDFA pest exclusion budget was completely cut, we prioritized for inspection out of state nursery and gypsy moth truck shipments as they come into the county.

Organic Farming Statistics
The report also includes some information on winegrape vineyards, fruit and vegetable farms, and nurseries that have registered their status as organic farming operations.  These farms exclusively employ organic farming practices and are involved in a certification process to sell their commodities using the "organic" designation.  Although we saw a decrease in acreage, this number reflects a net gain of four vineyards in the last year from the organic registration process.  These statistics are a bit misleading because many vineyards that use organic practices and qualify for organic certification choose not to recertify or reregister.
 

Contact person:  
Dave Whitmer
Napa County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer
253-4357