Food & Farm News
Real Audio» July 11, 2005 «
More West Nile horse deaths
Two more horses have contracted West Nile virus, both are in Riverside County, and were euthanized. Neither of the two had been vaccinated. In addition, a horse from Kern County earlier reported as having the disease has died thus bringing the death toll to four. There have been six cases of horses infected with the disease in California thus far this year. The California Department of Food and Agriculture urges horse owners to begin a vaccination program for their animals as soon as possible.
Rural crime prevention funded
Funding for the Central Valley Rural Crime Prevention Program is included in the newly adopted state budget. But, the program went out of existence July 1. A bill reauthorizing it is now expected to be approved by the Legislature soon. Farm groups say they are confident the program will be approved, now that funding is assured. The governor is expected to sign both measures.
Cotton developing slower than average
California's cotton crop is developing later than the record-yielding crop of last year, according to the California Agricultural Statistics Service. Only five percent of the crop had set bolls as of July 3. At the same time last year 34 percent of the crop had. Unfavorable weather is the major factor causing the slower development. The crop was expected to be smaller as there were 60,000 less acres planted this season. The first crop size estimate will be issued next month.
Winegrape acreage declines
Winegrape acreage in California declined about three percent last year. The California Agricultural Statistics Service says there were 513,000 acres planted in winegrapes. Of those 473,000 were bearing and 40,000 non-bearing. Acreage in red winegrapes increased nearly three percent, while white winegrape acreage dropped just over two percent.
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