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Irrigation water for San Joaquin Valley farmers on the east side
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» May 25, 2007 «

Peach harvest gets off to a quick start

California will play an even-greater role than usual in supplying fresh peaches to the nation this summer. The U.S. Agriculture Department predicts a larger crop for California, but notes that production in the number two and three peach-growing states will be much smaller. A freeze last month hurt as much as 90 percent of the peach crop in South Carolina and half the crop in Georgia. By contrast, early season supplies from California have been much larger than they were a year ago.

Friant customers see larger water supply

There will be a little more water available to farmers on the east side of the San Joaquin Valley. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said yesterday (Thursday) that its Friant Division will now be able to deliver 60 percent supplies to its customers. The bureau said it was able to increase the amount after recalculating flows in the San Joaquin River. Supplies for other Central Valley Project water customers remain unchanged, with farm customers south of the delta at 50 percent supplies.

Guava fruit flies turn up in Monterey Park

As summer nears, pest fighters fear they may begin to see exotic fruit flies turn up more frequently in California. This week, for example, traps caught two guava fruit flies in a neighborhood in Monterey Park. The guava fruit fly is native to parts of Asia and poses a particular threat to citrus fruit, peaches and other California-grown produce. The state Department of Food and Agriculture has begun work to eradicate the pest.

US seeks more information from China

American officials want China to allow them greater access, to inspect food and feed products intended for the U.S. Chinese companies exporting food or animal feed to the U.S. would also be required to register, under a plan that American officials presented to their Chinese counterparts yesterday in Washington. In addition, the American government wants China to disclose results of its tests for melamine in ingredients destined for human or animal consumption.