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New conference and response from farm water leaders

Farmers brace for 2009 water cutbacks

As farmers prepare for the season's first rains, state water officials said continued dry conditions will drastically cut next year's state water supply. As a precaution, they announced a preliminary cutback to just 15 percent of full contract allocation to local water agencies. They warned of mandatory water rationing and more cutbacks for agriculture. Farm water leaders said the impact on California's economy and its 37-billion-dollar food production system could be devastating.

Nurseries cope with psyllid quarantine

Business in San Diego County is being interrupted by the Asian citrus psyllid quarantine imposed last month. Retail nurseries in the zone are unable sell citrus trees until they meet required conditions for shipment. Some large box stores have destroyed their citrus tree inventory with huge losses. Smaller businesses have waited six weeks or more to get their trees properly treated so they can sell them. However, there is agreement that no one wants to allow the insect to spread. The Asian citrus psyllid can carry a bacteria that destroys citrus trees.

Study: Raw broccoli offers best anti-cancer potential

Raw or cooked? That is the question researchers pondered as they studied the cancer-fighting benefits of broccoli consumption. They concluded that raw broccoli offers the best health potential because the vegetable's natural anti-cancer compounds are absorbed more readily in its uncooked state. Results of the research, conducted in the Netherlands, have been published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. California is the nation's top broccoli grower, producing about 90 percent of the crop.

Construction lull whittles away at logging operations

Logging in California forests is about over for the season. Timber growers say this has been a tough season, as the construction industry has slowed. Word is this is the worst market in 30 years. Mills that process the lumber are either shut down for several weeks or operate on a reduced workweek. Meantime, timber farmers are preparing to plant seedlings in their forests that are scheduled to be delivered in a couple weeks.

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