Boost In Timber Production

Sonora, CA — Tuolumne County’s annual agriculture report was released this morning.

It looks at the total value of agriculture commodities in the county for year 2011. Agricultural Commissioner Vicki Helmar says the overall number is $29.2 million, up a surprising 33.6% from 2010.

The biggest gain was in timber production. After posting the lowest production values on record in 2010, timber receipts increased $5.2 million. The total amount harvested in 2011 was valued at $7.6 million, compared to $2.4 million in 2010, and $3.2 million in 2009. It should be noted that Sierra Pacific Industries reopened its newly re-tooled Standard Mill in June of 2011, after closing during the Summer of 2009.

Livestock and turkey production also saw a strong year, but there was a decline in fruit and vegetable production due to the cold and wet Spring.