Despite a cold, wet spring, agricultural production in San Joaquin County in 2011 rallied to set a new record of more than $2.2 billion.

Increases in prices for many commodities offset the wet spring that decimated the county’s cherry crop and delayed growing of some other crops, reported San Joaquin County Agricultural Commissioner Scott Hudson.

In his annual report to county supervisors on Tuesday, July 24, Hudson said the record revenue from agricultural production of $2,238,688,000 was a 14.2 percent increase from 2010’s total of $1,960,086,000.

“The figures obtained in this report are gross values rather than net returns to the grower,” Hudson stressed.

The category of field crops, including alfalfa hay, grains and corn, was the biggest winner, increasing 47.2 percent in value in 2011 to $307,236,000.

The largest single-commodity revenue producer continues to be milk, which accounted for 20 percent of the total value at $452,880,000.

Revenue from hay — mostly alfalfa — reached record highs last year, increasing from $59,750,000 in 2010 to $89,577,000 in 2011. By year’s end, alfalfa hay prices headed toward $280 per ton.

The fruit and nut crop category made up the largest slice of the county’s ag-revenue pie, carving out 42.6 percent. Grapes ($286,728,000), walnuts ($278,857,000) and almonds ($187,748,000) led the way.