Food & Farm News
» June 23, 2010 «
Water shortages persist 
The summer of 2010 begins with an improved water outlook compared to the past couple of years, but officials caution that California reservoirs have not yet fully recovered from drought. Many farm customers south of the delta will only be able to buy 45 percent of their contract allotments. Southern California will receive its full allotment from the Colorado River.
(For comments about water availability, call the Food and Farm News audio actuality service at 800-852-7502 or go to www.cfbf.com.)
Cheese production increases
California cheese plants produced more than 2-billion pounds of cheese in 2009, according to a California Department of Food and Agriculture report, and production is up about 2 percent so far this year. Almost 54 percent of the cheese was the mozzarella variety. Cheese plants in six counties account for the bulk of cheese production. They are located in Tulare, Kings, Merced, Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Los Angeles counties. California ranks second nationally in cheese production to Wisconsin.
Asparagus growers finish a good season
Asparagus growers have finished their harvest in the delta and most other parts of California. The California Asparagus Commission says first indications are that the season was a good one. Cooler weather kept vegetable quality high and pest pressure low. Demand was good, which should provide farmers incentive to maintain their acreage. California asparagus acreage has declined in recent years as farmers reacted to low prices. However the state still leads the nation in asparagus production.
Fewer invasive moths being found
Pest fighters report some encouraging news in their work to eradicate an invasive moth. They say treatments appear to be working, and fewer European grapevine moths are emerging in the pest's second generation of the year. That's even true in a Napa County vineyard where the moths ruined the grape crop last year. The moth has been found in seven counties. Officials say they remain hopeful it can be eradicated.
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