Food & Farm News

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Economic study of the impact of Proposition 2 on egg production

Report: Egg farms would leave state quickly

The end would come quickly for most California egg production, analysts say, should voters approve a November ballot initiative. A University of California economist says Proposition 2 would bring the "almost complete elimination" of California egg production within five years. The measure would ban the cages used to house most egg-laying hens. If the measure passes, a UC report says, Californians would eventually buy eggs from Iowa, Minnesota and other states.

Governor requests drought assistance

Governor Schwarzenegger has asked the federal government for drought assistance, to help local communities deal with water shortages. The governor asked the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Friday) to provide financial and technical aid, saying the support "could be critical in assisting with water transfers and well drilling." The governor's office said one Sacramento Valley water district, in particular, needs federal authorization to transfer water to water-short farms.

Rising costs squeeze farm incomes

Record-high prices for farm supplies and equipment have sharply raised the costs farmers pay to produce their crops. An analysis from Rabobank points to increases in transportation, labor, energy and raw materials costs. For example, the report says fertilizer costs have soared, in part because supplies can't keep up with rising demand from nations such as China and India. Analysts say they expect fertilizer prices to continue at high levels through 2009.

List of freeze-disaster counties grows to 10

Freezing temperatures in late April caused widespread crop damage around California, and three more counties have been declared agricultural disasters because of the cold temperatures. The U.S. Agriculture Department issued the declarations (Friday) for Amador, Mendocino and Shasta counties. Farmers there and in neighboring counties can apply for low-interest emergency loans to help recover from freeze losses. So far, 10 counties have been declared freeze disasters.

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