By Abby Haight
Associated Press Writer
 
February 8, 2010
 
PORTLAND, Ore.-- A new report shows that Oregon agricultural sales plunged almost 15 percent last year.
 
That's the worst drop since at least 1976.
 
The report by Oregon State University was released on Monday.
 
It shows the state's farmers and ranchers grossed $4.1 billion in 2009, down 14.8 percent from 2008. Gross sales had grown in the five years leading up to 2008.
 
Crops, which make up 70 percent of all sales, fell 16.9 percent to $2.86 billion in 2009. The sale of livestock, dairy products and poultry fell 9.7 percent to $1.25 billion.
 
The worst hit were small fruits and berries, which fell 41.4 percent.