Madera County ag producers shattered previous records in 2014, recording the highest-ever crop values, a whopping $2.265 billion. County Agricultural Commissioner Stephanie McNeill delivered the good news to Madera County supervisors at their regular meeting today. Last year’s record production represented an increase of $369 million over 2013’s county crop values, McNeill told supervisors. “This is a testament to the ability of Madera County producers to adapt and increase efficiencies while facing the ongoing drought conditions,” McNeill added. In her annual report, McNeill said crop values “can vary from year to year due to the variables of production, market and weather conditions. Most of the increases over 2013 for 2014 can be attributed to strong market prices and increased production.” For the second year in a row, almonds were the county’s top crop, with a value of $771 million. Milk, which was the third-most valuable in 2013, moved up to second last year, posting a value of $414 million. And grapes, Madera’s second-highest valued crop in 2013, slipped to the number three position in 2014, with a total production value of $317 million. Source - http://www.freshplaza.com