Food & Farm News
Real Audio» October 26, 2005 «
Florida farmers hope for electric power restoration
Florida farmers are still assessing damage caused by hurricane Wilma. Communication has not yet been restored to all rural areas, but it appears ornamental growers and citrus farmers may have the most crop damage. Many farms still are without electric power as well as telephones and Farm Bureau officials are seeking to get utilities to give higher priority to restoring power to rural areas. Farmers with generators are reporting problems in obtaining more diesel fuel to operate them.
Ethanol plant is producing fuel
California's first large capacity ethanol producing plant in Goshen has received its operating permits and is producing fuel. That plant is rated at producing 25 million gallons of ethanol a year, and is gradually reaching that capacity. For the first year, the corn used to produce the fuel is coming from Nebraska, but plant officials hope to obtain contracts with California farmers to produce corn for ethanol next year. The plant created 30 new jobs in Goshen.
Milk ad plans outlined
The California Milk Processor Board plans to emphasize attributes of milk such as protein and vitamin D, but continue to mention calcium content while emphasizing others. The board has 60 television spots that they rotate and will continue to do so. The board also plans to partner with other food products to emphasize health benefits of all. The board says that reports it plans to drop mentioning calcium entirely are incorrect.
More bees needed for almond pollination
The Almond Board of California is working to insure an adequate supply of honeybees for crop pollination. As acreage increases, almond growers need two-thirds of the nations bees in order to pollinate the crop. A recent seminar wrestled with the issue of red imported fire ants being brought into California on out-of-state beehives. A program of apiary certification is being formed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture to streamline requirements for out-of-state beekeepers to bring hives into the state in February and March.
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