Food & Farm News

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Work dairy farmers are doing to help clean San Joaquin Valley air

Crop damage estimates increase

More than $17 million is the estimated rain damage loss to cherry farmers in Tulare and Kern counties, according to agricultural commissioners. That's about 60 percent of the crop. Growers in those counties are finished for the season. Although San Joaquin County cherry growers have lost about 17 percent of their crop, they are still harvesting. Their season has about three weeks to go, and farmers are concerned about forecasts for rain next week.

Shasta water releases increase

With no more water storage room in federal reservoirs, water managers have increased releases from Shasta Dam to 20,000 cubic feet per second from 8,000 feet per second earlier in the week. They are doing so to make room for predicted moisture from a storm expected next week. Water levels in the Sacramento River will be higher as the water flows out to the ocean. Reservoirs south of the delta are also filled to capacity.

More glassy-winged sharpshooter finds

Inspectors have found glassy-winged sharpshooter egg masses and one nymph in Vacaville, according to the Solano County agricultural commissioner. The finds were in the same general area where the insects were discovered last year. Treatment plans are being finalized, even as the inspection teams continue their search for more insects. The finds are thought to be residual effects of the 2004 infestation and were anticipated.

Conflicting data on cow caused pollution

Different viewpoints have been submitted to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control district on how much air pollution comes from cows. Scientific studies by two universities and the air district board suggest cows produce less volatile organic compounds than previously thought. Other submissions suggest cows produce much more, however it is not clear how that data was obtained.

On the Calendar:
Castroville hosts its annual Artichoke Festival beginning tomorrow (Saturday).

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