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How the light brown apple moth quarantines impact farmers

Global almond shipments soar

Are you nuts about almonds? If so, you're not alone. In fact, you're among a growing number of almond fans worldwide. Consumers in Western Europe and Asia, in particular, are demanding more almonds, according to the California Almond Board. That agency says exports to Western Europe increased 24 percent from 2006 and exports to Asia increased 20 percent. The almond board projects increasing export demand for this year's crop as well.

Farmers adapt to life in the quarantine zone

Those fresh brussels sprouts you buy in retail stores may be taking a bit longer to get there. That's due to quarantines for light brown apple moths that exist in counties where the majority of the vegetables are raised. Other crops such as those grown in nurseries are also impacted. To expedite shipments, farmers have learned to call for inspectors as soon as they have an order. More than 250 plants can be a host to the insect. The quarantines zones were established to keep it from spreading further.

Carrots planted now for fall and winter harvest

If you've got a good carrot soup recipe to enjoy during the cooler months, you'll be pleased to know that California farmers are busy planting the main ingredient. Government reports say farmers in the next few weeks will be preparing fields for fall and winter carrot harvest. Most of the winter carrots are grown in Imperial and Riverside counties but some are raised in Kern County, where water availability may be an issue this year.

Scientists have ways of making seeds talk

Would you plant a seed that's 135 years old? You wouldn't get anything to grow, but researchers say there's value in studying the genetic information of seeds that age. The 135-year-old seeds were found in an attic, where they had been since the Civil War. They cannot germinate, but the DNA was extracted. The information garnered will allow seed banks to improve conditions under which various seeds are preserved so those seeds don't lose the ability to germinate over time.

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