Washington agriculture yields record high third straight year
The value of Washington’s 2007 agricultural production reached a record $8.51 billion, 23 percent above the 2006 revised figure of $6.90 billion.
Record high values of production were set for four of the top five commodities. The value of production for apples was $1.75 billion compared with the previous high of $1.41 billion, set in 2006. Milk production reached $1.06 billion compared with $688 million in 2006. Wheat, at $975 million, surpassed the previous record of $756 million set in 1996. Potato growers contributed $685 million to the State’s agricultural economy, ahead of the previous high of $562 million set in 2006.
Among other crops breaking records, the value of the state’s hay crop jumped to $517 million compared with the previous record high of$401 million set in 2006. Grapes, pears, blueberries, eggs, hops, and nursery and greenhouse products also set new record high values of production.
“The food and agriculture industry continues to be the cornerstone of Washington’s economy,” said Bob Gore, acting director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture. “A 25 percent increase over the previous year’s record revenues grabs your attention, especially in comparison with recent downturns in a number of economic sectors. On the whole, our 33,000 farmers and ranchers had excellent gains, but they continue to face escalating costs to grow their crops and raise their livestock.”
For the fourth year in a row, apples topped the list with a value of $1.75 billion. Apples represented 21 percent of the total agricultural value, unchanged from 2006. The five commodities had a combined value of $5.05 billion, or 61 percent of the 2007 value for all commodities. Blueberries had the highest value per harvested acre for 2007 with a value of $13,421 per acre.
 Officials authorize local campfires
The Klickitat District of the Washington Department of Natural Resources announced last week, due to recent rains, that campfires will be authorized on DNR managed lands.
The authorization is based on the following stipulations, officials said:
• First, fire must be placed on bare soil and be four feet or smaller in diameter.
• It must also be cleared a minimum of four feet around the campfire.
• Flame height must be less than two feet and must be extinguished after use.
• A shovel and water should also be nearby when a campfire is in use, officials said.
DNR Klickitat District managed forest lands are located north of Glenwood in south Yakima County, a small portion of Skamania County west of Willard as well as department managed lands within Klickitat County. |
