Food & Farm News

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Availability of irrigation water to San Joaquin Valley farmers

Water will again flow south

Pumps are scheduled to begin sending irrigation water south from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta today. It's not clear how long the pumps will be able to operate because of environmental rules protecting endangered fish. San Joaquin Valley farmers remain uncertain how much water will be available for the 2010 growing season. They need to make plans now for next year. Also unclear is how much water will be available for the fall lettuce crop produced by farmers near Huron. That crop must be planted in the next few weeks.

Blueberry harvest draws to a close

California blueberry harvest is winding down. A few growers in the delta area and in coastal areas still have fruit. Farmers in the major growing region in the San Joaquin Valley have started their post-harvest pruning and irrigation. Growers say the fruit quality this season was very good. Overall the weather was ideal, especially in cooler-than-average June. There were some marketing problems as supply outpaced demand. Farmers expect that to continue as more acreage comes into production.

Light brown apple moth battle intensifies

Organic farmers in Yolo and Solano counties are asking for public support as they join in the fight against the light brown apple moth. Farmers and agricultural commissioners in those counties are using organically approved materials against the insects. The materials affect only the insects. Farmers fear if the pests expand their territory, state and federal authorities will require widespread treatment of farmland to rid the region of the insect, which attacks more than 250 plant species.

Egg prices crack

Prices California egg farmers earn for their product crashed in May, according to a government report. The average price earned was 50 cents per dozen, 35 cents less than in April and 23 cents a dozen less than they earned in May 2008. The price dropped from near the break-even point for some farmers to a loss for all. Egg production was up 12 million from April, but was the same as in May 2008. Historically farmers earn less for eggs this time of year, but the amount of this downturn is unusual.

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