Karin Stanton/Hawaii247.com Contributing Editor

Results of the 2007 Census of Agriculture are expected to be released Wednesday, Feb. 4. The data will expand on last month’s report, which showed the number of agricultural workers across the state fell 8 percent in one year.

Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the census gathers facts and figures on virtually every aspect of agriculture, including number and types of farm operations, economic aspects of farm production and the demographics of U.S. farm operators.

“The true value of the Census of Agriculture is in the information it provides,” said Carol House, NASS deputy administrator. “The census charts trends in agriculture over time and provides the only source of uniform, comprehensive data for every county in the nation.”

A preliminary report released last month highlighting a survey of the state’s agricultural workforce.

During the Oct. 12-18, 2008 survey week, Hawaii’s hired agricultural workforce totaled 5,900 workers, down 8 percent from the year before, according to the latest report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Pineapple and sugarcane workers totaled 1,000 workers (does not include mill or cannery workers) during the survey week, down 13 percent from the same week in 2007 ago due largely to layoffs at Maui Land and Pineapple Company and Gay and Robinson’s decision to terminate their sugarcane operations.

Other hired workers (livestock, field, supervisors, office workers, etc.) showed a 7 percent decline from with 4,900 workers during the survey week of Oct. 12-18, 2008.

The number of self-employed remained unchanged and unpaid farm workers declined 18 percent.

The average wage paid to all hired workers during the survey week was estimated at $13.24 per hour. This was up fractionally. The combined average wage for field and livestock workers was estimated at $11.21 per hour, up 1 percent from October 2007.

Hawaii farms employing from 1 to 9 workers paid an average of $11.39 per hour for all hired workers, while the combined average wage for field and livestock workers was $10.90 an hour.

Farm level revenues for 2007 totaled $579.1 million compared to the revised 2006 level of $579.6 million. Compared to the previous year, seven of the 20 ranked commodities for 2007 were higher including seed crops, coffee, papayas, bananas, potted palms, dracaena potted, and
watermelon.

Record high levels were set for seed crops, which increased 42 percent from 2006. World demand for ethanol production has increased the need for foundation corn seed.

Papaya revenues were up 19 percent for 2007 due to increased production of 16 percent and overall price rising 2 percent. Potted dracaena revenues increased 7 percent and potted palms rose 5 percent. Coffee revenues were up slightly compared to 2006.

Revenue declines include macadamia nuts as weather conditions for 2007 were mixed. Some macadamia nut growers reported wet conditions caused increased spoilage while others reported dry conditions during the critical phase of maturation, which also lowered output.

Many growers reported the lack of an outlet to sell their nuts was a problem and with lower nut prices, the crop was not harvested by some growers. Growers related that feral pigs were a problem in some areas.

Milk production declined 33 percent as there are only two commercial dairies operating in Hawaii, both on the Big Island. The value of egg production fell by 9 percent in 2007 as fewer operations remain in business due to high operation costs, including fuel and feed.

The equivalent farm value of sugarcane (this does not include the processed value of raw sugar) was set at $47.6 million, down 5 percent from 2006. Sugar value has dropped eight of the last 10 years.

— Find out more:
2007 Census of Agriculture: www.agcensus.usda.gov
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Hawaii Field Office: www.nass.usda.gov/hi