Winter storms cause nearly $13 million in damage to county crops

After California’s most recent drought, a little bit of rain would have been quite welcome. But some of Lodi’s farms, vineyards and orchards got more than they bargained for during the winter of 2016. Tom Hoffman, owner of Heritage Oaks Winery, reported that they lost 10 acres worth of grape vines, out of their 120 total acres.

“It’s not going to put us into the poor house, but it will take a lot of effort to get it back in shape,” he said.

Michael Cockrell, the director for the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services (OES), provided an initial damage estimate report which estimated the total agricultural crop losses to be $12,985,000. Cockrell also said that, due to timing, the OES and the county agricultural commissioner will have to wait until the next harvest before they can obtain a more exact number for the monetary losses.

According to Bruce Blodgett, Executive Director of the San Joaquin County Farm Bureau, the storms and flooding had a negative impact on the county’s farms, orchards, vineyards and cattle pastures. Lodi’s John Kautz Farms, in particular, experienced losses when the Mokelumne River’s flooding led a number of beavers to their vineyards, where the creatures feasted on the grape vines. Kautz Farms Manager Joe Valente said in a phone interview that the grape vines are already growing back, and that lowering the pressure at Camanche Reservoir was helpful in that process.

Blodgett also said that, despite initial recoveries being made for Lodi’s agriculture, it will still be some time before the full extent of the damage is known, He also said that there are a number of assistance programs available for farmers and ranchers who suffered from the floods, including property tax relief for those who report losses totaling more than $10,000. Assistance is also available to repair levies as well as reimbursement for lost trees and orchards.

According to San Joaquin County Agricultural Commissioner Tim Pelican, farms, vineyards, orchards and other growers report what kind of damage has been done to what type of crop. The commissioner’s office then uses the five-year average from their crop report to estimate the monetary losses from each farm. The agricultural commissioner’s office only takes mature, producing crops into account for the initial estimate. Losses of or damage to younger trees, vineyards and the like are reported to the federal government.