Food & Farm News

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Comments about the House Agriculture Committee meeting

Farmers testify about troubles hiring enough help

Citing what one called a "bleak" outlook for filling on-farm jobs, farmers told a House Agriculture Committee hearing yesterday (Thursday) that they need a stable, legal workforce. During the hearing held in Washington, D.C., farmers from many states, including California, testified about their difficulties in hiring enough harvest help. Farm groups have pressed Congress to adopt a temporary-worker program that would allow people to enter the country legally to fill farm jobs.

Report shows drop in equine WNV cases

Cases of West Nile virus among California horses have declined for a second straight year. The latest report from state officials says the disease has killed 13 horses, with the most recent case reported in Siskiyou County. In all, the state has reported 25 cases of equine West Nile virus, down from 57 at the same time a year ago and from more than 450 cases the year before that.

Horseradish harvest starts near Tulelake

It's harvest season for horseradish near the California-Oregon border. Farmers in the Tulelake area say cold temperatures in the region benefit the crop, and recent rain wasn't enough to stop the harvest. The harvest will continue until mid-November. Horseradish aficionados seek out Tulelake horseradish, but recent rises in fuel costs have left some Eastern retailers reluctant to pay transportation costs.

New dairy promotion ads to debut this month

A meditating duck and a French-speaking bull will be among the characters in the new Happy Cow commercials to be broadcast nationally this month on behalf of the California Milk Advisory Board. The ads will continue to promote the Real California Cheese seal and be expanded to include new promotions for Real California Milk. The board has used the Happy Cow campaign since 2000 and says the ads have been successful, particularly with female consumers.

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