SOSA Nevada Agricultural Commodities

In the Nevada SOSA region, agriculture maintains a presence amongst the booming metropolitan regions of Reno and Carson City. Although statewide livestock sales nearly double crop sales, the sales of each are nearly equivalent when combining Carson City, Douglas and Washoe counties. In 2002, crop sales accounted for $14.3 million and livestock sales $13.5 million in the three counties.

Download data (NV Ag Commodities 2002)

In 2005, cattle, hay and dairy products equated to roughly $400 million in sales, more than 82 percent of Nevada’s agricultural gross value.

Ranching has a strong presence in the region, so it makes sense that the predominant crop raised are alfalfa and hay. Warm days and cool nights create an ideal climate for growing high-quality alfalfa, the preferred feed for dairy cows. Many of Nevada’s dairies are located in the Nevada SOSA region near Reno.

The gross sales for each county places them in the bottom half of Nevada’s counties for production. However, the agricultural industry sustains rural communities in the Nevada SOSA region.

Download data (NV State Statistics 2006)

The agricultural lands also comprise significant acreage in these rapidly urbanizing areas. In 2002, Washoe County had 802,042 acres in agriculture, Douglas had 210,952 acres and Carson City had 4,382.