Food & Farm News
Real Audio» October 12, 2005 «
Record strawberry production
California strawberry growers have set a new production record, with three months remaining in the year. As of October 1, farmers produced 1.2 billion pounds of strawberries compared with 1.1 billion pounds in all of 2004. Fall production is starting in Oxnard, while Salinas-Watsonville farmers continue to pick. Consumers can expect to find ample supplies of strawberries through the fall and winter months, as the fruit has become a year-round crop in California.
Disappointing processing tomato season
It's been a disappointing season for California processing tomato farmers. Farmers have fought adverse conditions all season long. The California Processing Tomato Association expects total production to be about 36 million tons compared to 41 million last year. A few growers were lucky with good weather over their fields, but the majority have been disappointed. Harvest season is about over. Farmers are hoping for higher prices for tomatoes next season.
Fall vegetable production to increase
Federal government figures show California carrot farmers have planted 20 percent more acreage this year than last. Cooler weather in growing regions is providing excellent growing conditions, and consumers should find good quality carrots in retail stores. Broccoli growers have planted about four percent more acres for harvest this fall than last year. Growing conditions have been good, but recent hot temperatures in some growing regions caused problems, however, consumers should find good quality broccoli in stores.
Research reduces biocontrol insect production costs
Refrigerating eggs, according to research studies, can reduce costs of raising predatory wasps that attack the glassy-winged sharpshooter. Insectaries can produce the wasps that attack glassy-winged sharpshooter eggs by laying their own eggs in sharpshooter eggs. The glassy-winged sharpshooter spreads disease in California grape vineyards. The insect has established a foothold in Southern California. It's thought to have entered California from Mexico.
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