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rrY <br /> recently removed approximately -3-4- acres of he <br /> orchard . The orchard was old and diseased and no longer <br /> productive. Discussions with the property owner indicated he <br /> [� would plant row crops in lieu of another orchard . 4 The Deputy <br /> Agricultural Commissioner stated that in most cases, landowners <br /> are replacing older orchards with row crops rather than replanting <br /> in orchard. The initial investment is less and the rate of return <br /> is quicker than planting new orchards. 5 <br /> The northern two-thirds portion of the project site is <br /> typically fertilized with chemical fertilizers, using both dry and <br /> k : liquid applications. Depending upon the type of row crop planted <br /> on the +26 acres, • the liquid fertilizer may be applied prior to y <br /> planting. Both dry and liquid fertilizers are applied on top of <br /> the ground for the orchards. <br /> Specific crop yields were not available from the operator of ' <br /> the +/-26 acre site. However, the applicant did state that the <br /> tenant farmer had not made a profit on the +26 acre parcel for <br /> the past three years. 6 The operator of the +/-20 acre parcel in <br /> r' the northeast portion of the project site stated that the 1987 <br /> walnut harvest yielded approximately 500 pounds/acre. The normal <br /> state average is 2, 500/3, 000 pounds/acre. The cherry .harvest <br /> yielded 2, 000 pounds of cherries/acre. A full producing orchard <br /> will yield an average of 5 , 000-6, 000 pounds/acre. The operator <br /> stated that the cherry trees ranged in age from 2 to 20 years . <br /> He is not replacing the older trees after they are removed . The <br /> prime years of high yield for cherry trees is usually 10 to 15 <br /> E years. Prices for walnuts and; cherries were $0.48/pound and $25- <br /> 30/pound, respectively .7 <br /> The typical County yearly gross revenues from these crops are <br /> as follows (.see San Joaquin County Agricultural Report, 1986 ) . <br /> Crop Unit Yearly Value Per Unit <br /> Cherries Ton $1 , 520 <br /> "' Walnuts Ton $1 , 030 <br /> Sugar Beets Ton $34 <br /> In 1986, 28, 100 acres of sugar beets, 7, 412 acres of cherries <br /> f and 25, 318 acres of walnuts were harvested in San Joaquin County . <br /> r -` These crops yielded the following: <br /> Crop Yield Estimated Gross Value <br /> Cherries 7,250 tons $11 , 022, 000 <br /> Walnuts 25, 318 tons $249232, 000 <br /> Sugar Beets 28, 100 tons $23, 618 , 000 <br /> 17 <br /> i <br />