Food & Farm News

Audio Actuality

News conference on the light brown apple moth

California wine sales set record

Both the volume and value of California wine sales increased in 2007, according to figures released yesterday (Tuesday) by the Wine Institute. California wineries sold a record 457 million gallons of wine within the U.S., valued at nearly $19 billion dollars. The Wine Institute credits the increase to strong consumer interest, growing support from retailers and restaurants, and more direct-to-consumer wine sales.

State presses for eradication of invading moth

Eradication of the light brown apple moth remains the goal for state officials, and experts on the moth told reporters yesterday they continue to test new methods to fight the invasive pest. Moth infestations in Central Coast and Bay Area counties have led to restrictions on moving produce, nursery crops and garden plants. A Technical Working Group of 10 scientists that reviews the eradication program released a report saying California should keep working to prevent the moth from spreading.

Lemon supplies remain affected by '07 freeze

Lingering damage from a severe freeze more than a year ago continues to suppress supplies of California-grown lemons. A federal government report indicates California lemon production will be about the same as last season, when a January freeze cut the crop short. Because of reduced supplies, lemon prices have more than doubled between last August and this January, and lemon imports to the United States have increased

New county declared drought disaster area

Parts of the northern Sacramento Valley just finished their driest March in more than 50 years … and drought conditions from last year led to one county being declared an agricultural disaster area yesterday. Tehama County joins nearly three-dozen other California counties declared primary disaster zones because of dry weather during 2007. The declaration allows affected farmers and ranchers to apply for low-interest emergency loans.

Top