10/07/08 Washington's 2007 ag production smashes value record

Washington Ag October 7, 2008 The value of Washington's 2007 agricultural production reached a record 8.51 billion dollars, 23 percent above 2006. Dennis Koong, deputy director of the Washington field office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, says this is the third straight year of record breaking production values with four of the five top commodities in the state setting new record highs. Koong: "For the 4th year in a row actually, apples lead the list with a value of production of 1.75 billion dollars. This is 24% above 2006. Milk ranked second with a value 1.06 billion dollars, and again another big increase from 2006. This was 54% above 2006. Wheat at 975 million dollars was the 3rd place ranking commodity and it was also 3rd place in 2006. That again showed a 56% increase over 2006." Potatoes moved into 4th place in 2007 ahead of cattle and calves with a record value of 685 million dollars. Record high production values were also recorded for hay, grapes, pears, blueberries, eggs, hops and nursery and greenhouse products. I'm Bob Hoff.