Kings County dairies saw higher prices but still led declines in farm receipts last year. File Photo

The numbers are in for farming production in Kings County for 2019, and a drop in livestock and poultry products led a retreat in values.

Overall, the county netted $2.188 billion for its agricultural crops and production last year, according to the Kings County Agricultural Commissioner’s 2019 Crop Report. Compared to 2018 values, this is a decrease of $92.98 million, or 4.1%.

The report was presented to the County Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

Livestock and poultry products experienced the biggest declines in value at 10.7%, or $72.68 million. Ag Commissioner Jimmy Hook attributed the decrease to a drop in milk production.

Total milk production dropped 4.9 million hundredweight from 2018 to 36.78 million hundredweight in 2019. The value for market milk rose $.12 to $16.30 per hundredweight.

Vegetable crop values lost 16% year-over-year to rake in $34.47 million. A drop in tomato acreage and production led the decline.

Livestock and poultry decreased 7.1% to $19.89 million because of fewer cattle, calves and poultry sold. Poultry prices also dropped. Lower pima cotton prices also caused a decrease of $10.51 million year-over-year.

Milk was still the top single commodity in Kings County, pouring in $602.65 million to the county.

Fruit and nut crops combined increased 7.3% to bring in $644.22 million for the year, lead by an increase in almond production and price.