Tulare Lake Subbasin gets probation over inadequate plans to protect aquifers
Farmers in the critically overdrafted Tulare Lake Subbasin in the San Joaquin Valley are bracing for escalating costs as state and local agencies assess fees on wells and groundwater pumped. The California State Water Resources Control Board last week placed the subbasin on probation as part of regulations under the state’s landmark 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The board concluded that local agency sustainability plans failed to address overdraft by limiting groundwater pumping, land subsidence and impacts to drinking water.
Rainstorms help farms, hurt farmers markets
Heavy rainstorms this spring have boosted the state’s water supply for farming, but they have dampened farmers market attendance and crop selection in the immediate term. While grocery stores are already stocking imported summer fruits and vegetables, farmers market produce remains in transition, with many farms still selling cool-season offerings such as broccoli, cauliflower, hard squash, beets and navel oranges. More fragile crops such as strawberries have taken a beating from the wet weather.
Almond Board CEO stresses innovations, exports to help sector rebound
Facing challenging times, California’s almond industry is looking to expand foreign export markets and increase the diversity of almond products in domestic supermarkets. That was the strategic roadmap outlined by Almond Board of California President and CEO Clarice Turner. In a recent media briefing, Turner said the state’s almond sector hopes to grow its array of products, developing demand for innovations from oils to flours to perhaps even almond pastas. The Almond Board is also seeking to grow exports to India and other fast emerging markets.
Study: California pork prices rise under Proposition 12
Pork products subject to California’s Proposition 12 animal welfare law have increased in price by an average of 20% since the law began to take effect, according to a new economic analysis. The findings in the University of California’s Agricultural and Resource Economics Update noted that pork prices in the state have risen more sharply than the rest of the nation under initiative requirements. Bacon, ribs and loin products had higher per-pound prices of $1.04, 54 cents and $1.42, respectively, than similar products in other states.
For more information about any story in Food and Farm News, contact the California Farm Bureau Marketing/Communications Division at 916-561-5550 or email news@cfbf.com. Connect with us on Facebook, X, or Instagram: @CAFarmBureau.