Food & Farm News

Audio Actuality

Comments about fight against the Asian citrus psyllid

Asian citrus psyllid fight going well

Authorities plan to combat the Asian citrus psyllid in the Los Angeles Basin this summer. A large infestation exists near Dodger Stadium. They report some success in containing the insect in other areas of Southern California. The invasive pest can carry a plant disease that kills citrus trees. The disease has not yet been found in California. Officials have stressed to urban residents that their backyard citrus trees are threatened just as are those in commercial orchards.

Forces combine to hurt nurseries

California nursery businesses were hit hard by the recession, drought, the decline in homebuilding and reduced water deliveries to businesses and homeowners. The California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers says in a new report that farm gate revenues declined nearly 18 percent last year. The revenue decline also resulted in a loss of more than 25,000 jobs. California leads the nation in the value of nursery and floral crop production.

Winegrape crop develops slowly

Winegrape growers report their crop is behind schedule. In the Central Valley, it is two weeks late while the North Coast crop is as much as a month late. But, farmers say that the recent warm temperatures should help the crop catch up. There has been widely scattered hail damage to some eastside San Joaquin Valley vineyards, and a small amount of frost damage. However, the damage won't affect the overall production. Farmers expect average to slightly less than average production this season.

Lighter prune crop predicted

Farmers will produce about 10 percent fewer tons of prunes this year, according to a government report. Production is expected to be about 150,000 tons. Cooler weather and a lighter fruit set in 2010 are reported as major factors in the smaller crop. Farmers are also having more pest pressure as a result of the increased rain and cooler temperatures. California produces about 99 percent of the nation’s prunes, which are marketed as dried plums crop.

Top