Food & Farm News

» January 24, 2005 «

First CVP forecast shows 60 percent water supply

Even though the Sierra snowpack stands at far-above-average levels, water managers have warned Central Valley farmers to prepare for reduced water supplies. In its first projection of summer supplies, the federal Central Valley Project said (Friday) it expects to deliver 60 percent of contract amounts to its agricultural customers. The CVP must hold water to meet environmental goals, and will monitor snowfall the rest of the winter to see if it can boost water deliveries.

Warm desert days push vegetable harvest

Above-normal temperatures in the California desert have accelerated harvests of lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and other vegetables. Imperial Valley farmers say crops that they planted to mature in stages are now ripening all at once. Some vegetables won't even be harvested, because there's more supply than markets can handle. Farmers say the surge to market has reduced wholesale prices for a number of California-grown vegetables.

Co-op buys Super Bowl ad for its snack nuts

Nut marketers hope the Super Bowl provides a super platform to help them sell a new brand of snack nuts. The growers cooperative Diamond of California has purchased time during next month's Super Bowl telecast, for an ad promoting its Emerald Nuts products. Diamond promises an offbeat ad that features a unicorn, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. The 30-second ad will air during the fourth quarter of the game.

Tests seek alternative to soil fumigant

Tests on a new type of plastic film may hold promise for strawberry growers, as they seek new ways to protect their crops from soil-borne pests. Strawberry farmers need an alternative to the fumigant methyl bromide, which is due to be phased out in coming years. Researchers say a new type of plastic film appears to enhance the effectiveness of alternative fumigants. The film is used to cover soil before it's fumigated, to prevent any chemical from reaching the atmosphere.