Food & Farm News

» March 13, 2013 «

Farm leaders gather in Sacramento

Farmers and ranchers gathered in Sacramento this week to meet with legislators and discuss issues affecting food and fiber production. Nearly 400 Farm Bureau leaders from across the state heard from specialists about water, renewable energy, invasive pests and other topics. A representative from the state Department of Food and Agriculture described a new science panel gathering information on the environmental benefits of agriculture. 

Asparagus harvest nears

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will be busy in the coming weeks as asparagus growers begin the spring harvest. Farmers say they anticipate a steady supply of California-grown asparagus to be available in grocery stores beginning later this month. The state's three major asparagus-growing areas are the delta, the Salinas Valley and the western San Joaquin Valley. Those areas supply most of the western United States.

Progress made in fight against citrus disease

A team of researchers, farmers and government agencies report progress protecting the state's citrus fruits against a disease that has devastated crops in other states. The California Department of Food and Agriculture reports it monitors constantly for citrus greening, a disease carried by an insect called the Asian citrus psyllid. There is no cure for the disease, but officials told a grower meeting this week that research shows promise for detecting and fighting it.

Valencias made it through freeze

Winter freezes appear to have spared most of the California crop of Valencia oranges. A forecast from the U.S. Agriculture Department says the crop appears to be progressing well and avoided widespread damage during freezing temperatures. Forecasters expect the state's Valencia groves to produce about 25 million cartons of oranges, a slight decrease from recent years. The forecast is created by randomly surveying more than 500 groves across the state.