Imperial County Agriculture
By Mr. UrieInfo from Imperial County Farm Bureau
Hay
In 2008, Imperial County farmers produced 1.6 million tons of hay
In 2009, hay receipts totaled around $160 million (price down from 2008)
Hay
Types of Hay in Imperial County:
Alfalfa
Sudangrass
Bermudagrass
Kleingrass
Hay
What is most of the county’s hay used for?
Dairy
Most of our hay is used for the dairy industry in California
California produces 20% of dairy in the US
Dairy is the number one ag commodity in California
California’s Top Five
Imperial County is in the top five producers in California of:
Spinach Broccoli Cauliflower Sweet Corn Onions Potatoes
Cool Cheeses
Imperial County is home to California’s only cheese plant making Swiss and Muenster cheese
Aquaculture
Imperial County is number two producer in aquaculture, has largest catfish farm west of Mississippi
Sheep
Imperial County is one of the top producing counties in the country
Over 200,000 sheep pass through each year
Economic Impact
California produces 13% of the nation’s cash receipts from agriculture
Only receives about 4% of government payments to agriculture
Economic Impact
For every 100 ag jobs, an additional 94 jobs are created in the state
Where do these jobs come from?
Food Trends
Americans spend twice as much on eating out as they did in 1970
Food Trends
Total percent spent on feeding the family continues to go down
Today – 10% of our income 1970 - 14% of our income 1947 - 23% of our income TAXES - 35% of our income
Food Trends
With increasing availability provided by farmers, Americans:
Eat more vegetables than 30 yrs ago
Eat more fruits than 30 yrs ago Drink lower-fat milk Eat leaner meat
Carrots
One acre of carrots can provide a side dish to 320,000 people
In 2008, enough carrots were grown in the Imperial Valley to feed a ¼ pound serving to 75% of the world, 5 billion people!
Dairy Again Imperial County is home to the
cheese plant and 3 dairies The average dairy cow in the U.S.
produces 16,000 glasses of milk in a year
Wheat
It would take a family of four 10 YEARS to go through the amount of bread produced on one acre of wheat
Winter. . .
2/3 of the vegetables consumed in the U.S. during the winter months were produced here in the Imperial Valley
Lettuce
In 2008, Imperial County produced enough lettuce to feed a dinner salad to 2.8 billion people
Bees
Each year, bees pollinate nearly 100 different crops worth $10 billion.
Pollinating insects make 1/3 of the world’s diet possible.
Agricultural Variety
Local farmers produce more than 100 different commodities
Bamboo Sugar Cane Water Lilies Etc.
Agricultural Variety
Why is the Imperial Valley so suited to growing such a wide variety of crops?
Agricultural Variety
In the 1910s, Imperial Valley was home to the largest herd of ostriches in the U.S.
Birds
There are over 800 bird species found in the US, and about 400 of those can be found here
The fields give habitat to hundreds of thousands of birds each year
Owls
Over 70% of California’s burrowing owls live in Imperial County
There are more owls per square mile here than any other place in the world
Water
Growers use an average of 5.6 acre feet of water, per acre, per year.
One Acre Foot
How much is it? Hint: Enough for this family for one
whole year
Water
How much water does it take to produce your food?
Breakfast
Food Gallons of Water
8 oz Orange Juice 49.1
One Egg 62.7
One Piece Toast, Butter 56.3
¼ of a cantaloupe 40
Breakfast Total 208.1
Water
With every acre foot of water arriving in the valley, one ton of salt is carried in.
Water
Using subsurface tile drainage systems, farmers keep the salt out of the soil
Salton Sea
It would take 52,000 trucks to haul out all the salt put in for one year
Lunch
BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Gallons
Chicken – 4 oz. 115
Wheat Bread – 2 pc 21.2
Cheese – 1 slice 56
Tomato – 1 oz. 1.9
Lettuce – ¼ cup 0.7
BBQ Sauce 6.3
Orange – 1 whole 13.8
Glass of Water 0.2
Lunch Total 215.1
Dinner
Lasagna Gallons
Pasta – 4 oz. 71.8
Tomato Sauce – 6 oz. 38.7
Cheese – 3 oz. 168
Ground Beef – 3 oz. 82.5
Garlic Bread – 1 piece 56.3
Salad – ½ cup 5.3
Milk – 8 oz. 48.3
Dinner Total 470.9
One Day’s Total?
894.1 gallons Just 1 person