(Fresnobee) - The value of farmland in the central San Joaquin Valley cooled for some crops as prices for several high-flying commodities softened and access to water remained a concern, according to the Trends in Agricultural Land & Lease Values report released Thursday.

The annual report, prepared by the California chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, provides a detailed look at the 2016 price of farmland statewide and the factors affecting sales. The report was released at the Outlook 2017 Agribusiness Conference in Fresno.

One of the big stories in the Valley for 2016 was the tumble in the value of nut crops and the corresponding drop in the price for acres planted in almonds. Taking one of the biggest hits was Fresno County, one of the largest growers of almonds in the nation. Nut farm sales declined between 15 percent and 30 percent compared to 2015, when prices topped $42,000 an acre for the best land.