Food & Farm News
Real Audio» June 27, 2006 «
'Bunch counts' gauge winegrape crop
An early look at winegrape vineyards indicates yields could be lighter this season. Surveyors say they see fewer winegrape clusters in San Joaquin Valley vineyards. Observers in Sonoma County say the crop there looks average to a little lighter. The group Allied Grape Growers reports that ‘bunch counts’ for most varieties in the Central Valley stand 10 percent to 20 percent lighter than last year. The first government estimate of the state's grape crop is due next week.
Crews make progress against fruit fly
Optimism appears high among those involved with efforts to eradicate peach fruit flies in Fresno County. It's been more than a month since the last fly was found. If no more flies emerge, the county agricultural commissioner says a quarantine on fruit movement can be lifted at the end of August. The few farmers in the quarantine zone treat their crops with approved materials. The peach fruit fly is native to parts of Asia and attacks a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Demand for pomegranates continues to grow
Pomegranate bloom is well underway in the southern San Joaquin Valley, and marketers say there will be plenty of demand for this year's crop. The Pomegranate Council says demand for pomegranate juice has been especially strong. The council says there have been 43 new juice mixes with pomegranate juice introduced this year alone. Early varieties will be ready for harvest about August 1st, and the pomegranate harvest will hit full stride in October.
Tests show pork has grown leaner
The pork on your plate today is leaner than the same cut would have been 15 years ago. Federal researchers tested the nutrient levels of nine cuts of pork and compared their results to the last study in 1991. The new data shows pork to be leaner, while its protein content remains unchanged. The study was conducted in several locations across the country using pork obtained from retail stores.
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