Food & Farm News
Real Audio» January 22, 2007 «
Farm tour reviewed
Farm Bureau president Doug Mosebar joined legislative leaders touring frost damaged farms Friday. The chairpersons of the Assembly and Senate agriculture committees pledged to provide aid to farms and farm workers. Crop damage in fields and orchards was easy to see. Losses will have a ripple effect on rural economies. Farm workers will lose their jobs, as will those who labor in packing sheds and drive trucks, which normally haul produce to markets.
More wheat planted
California farmers have planted more acreage in winter wheat this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Plantings are estimated at 530,000 acres, about 18 percent more than last season. Higher prices for wheat encouraged farmers to increase acreage. Growers are concerned about the recent freezing temperatures. Experts say the cold may have damaged the grain, but that damage might not show up until near harvest time. Farmers are also checking their fields for signs of rust, a fungal disease.
Record milk production
California cows produced a record amount of milk again last year, according to the federal government agricultural statistics service. In spite of a summer heat wave the state's dairy herds produced 4.5 billion gallons of milk, according to preliminary figures. The dairy cow population increased to nearly 2 million and individual cows produced more milk on average than the prior year. Production increased every month except July when the state struggled with extremely hot weather.
Gluten substitute developed
Food scientists have developed a means to prepare light fluffy pancakes from a combination of sweet potatoes and rice. The new flour like material will allow those with allergies to wheat and other grains to enjoy pancakes that are loaded with beta-carotene and vitamin A. The scientists' findings were published in the Journal of Food Quality. They hope to interest food companies to develop their new flour for commercial use.
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