Food & Farm News
Real Audio» September 27, 2005 «
Hurricane Rita kills cattle, damages crops
Farmers and ranchers in Texas and Louisiana spent yesterday (Monday) assessing damage from Hurricane Rita. Farm Bureau spokesmen in the two states say the storm damaged rice, cattle, timber, sugar cane and farm structures. Louisiana cattle ranchers say their losses may be greater from Rita than from Hurricane Katrina. Authorities have been working to rescue thousands of cattle left stranded by the weekend storm.
Early autumn brings dried-out pastures
As California pastures dry out during early autumn, authorities warn that fire danger on rangeland remains high. Controlled burns have been set on selected San Joaquin Valley rangelands in order to prevent wildfires. A government report issued yesterday lists 60 percent of California pastures and rangelands in "very poor" condition. Ranchers provide hay and other feed to their animals to supplement the dried-out pastures.
FSA officials assess possible office closures
Between now and mid-November, state directors of the federal Farm Service Agency will consider plans to close and consolidate offices. Several of the 32 California offices could be affected. The local offices allow farmers to apply for a variety of federal farm programs. In determining which offices to consolidate, officials will consider criteria including the distances farmers would have to drive for service, and ways to improve office efficiencies.
Avocado growers expect large new crop
All signs point to a big new avocado crop. Farmers say weather for avocado development in Southern California has been nearly perfect. That's a contrast to the current crop, which was beset with weather problems. Harvest of the new crop will begin later this fall. If favorable conditions continue, observers say the coming avocado crop could set production records of more than 500 million pounds.
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