Food & Farm News
» October 14, 2008 «
Wildfire threatens agriculture in south state
The Marek wildfire in Los Angeles County has so far damaged about 6,000 acres, including areas where horses are raised. An animal evacuation center has been established at the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center in Sylmar. It is uncertain if any animals have been injured. The fire, which began early Sunday and remains uncontained, also threatens a tree farm. Firefighters are hampered by high winds.
Winegrape growers assess freeze damage
There were freezing temperatures in vineyards at higher elevations of Lake and Mendocino counties over the weekend. Growers are assessing damage. If the grapes had sugar content high enough to harvest, workers can quickly gather the fruit with little damage. However, warm temperatures are needed to elevate the sugar content, meaning that grapes with lower sugar could be harmed by frost. Damage estimates will take a few days to compile.
A record is squashed in Half Moon Bay 
An Oregon grower has repeated as the champion pumpkin grower at the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off at Half Moon Bay Monday. Thad Starr will receive more than $9,000 for his pumpkin, which topped the scales at 1,528 pounds. This was the 35th annual pumpkin-weighing contest. However, this year it was sanctioned by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, an international association of pumpkin growers. The commonwealth has more than 70 weigh-off locations throughout the world.
Fall vegetables and melons will be plentiful
Broccoli, cauliflower, celery and carrots should be in plentiful supply in retail stores this fall. A government report says the fall crop, October to December, in California is in excellent shape. Growing conditions have been good. There should also be good supplies of sweet corn from California fields. Cantaloupe and honeydew melons have benefited from ideal weather and are in excellent condition. In addition, ample supplies of lettuce and tomatoes are anticipated.
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