Food & Farm News
» March 19, 2008 «
Almond bloom about complete
Almond bloom is virtually over in the Sacramento Valley according to a federal government report. In the southern areas of California, trees were greening as leaves began to grow. Weather for growing has been ideal. Inspectors saw tiny nuts emerging from jackets on some early almond varieties. It is still early, but reports are the bloom was ideal. With the bloom complete, beekeepers are moving their hives from almond orchards to other locations.
Ag pilots prepare for busy season 
California pilots maneuver their agricultural aircraft over fields every month of the year. However, the busy season is about to begin as rice fields need planting and orchards require materials to keep the tree fruits and nuts healthy. The numbers of pilots and planes numbers has declined in recent years as bigger more efficient aircraft come into operation. The number of licensed pilots has dropped to about 400. Agricultural aircraft play a very important role in producing California's food and fiber.
Good cotton yields reported
Last year's cotton yield was one of the best ever, due to good weather and improvements in cotton seed. Growers have ginned last years crop and finished pre-irrigation of fields for this year. Average yield in the Palo Verde Valley was a little over three-and-a-half bales to the acre. Growers in other regions report similar production. Riverside County cotton growers report cotton acreage is down about 20 percent due to rotating ground into wheat production.
Milk production continues to increase
Milk production in the 23 major dairy states in February was up 6% from February 2007. National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) says production per cow averaged about six more gallons than a year ago. California milk production in February increased 5.5% from a year ago. The Golden State's dairy herd grew by 46,000 cows and production per cow increased about four gallons to about 155 gallons.
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