Food & Farm News

» January 2, 2006 «

Preview 2006 farm issues

Farmers and ranchers have a number of issues they hope Congress will resolve in 2006. Farmers want some type of guest worker program included in any immigration reform. They also hope for Congress to permanently repel the estate tax and continue capital gains tax reductions. It is also anticipated that Congress will begin work on the 2007 Farm Bill during this session, and growers will seek to provide information into Farm Bill discussions.

Egg producers had a poor year

Even though California egg prices to farmers ended the year on a strong note, 2005 was still the worst year on record. Farmers lost an average of $1.85 per bird last year, 50 cents more than the previous bad year. Growers made about 20 cents a dozen the last couple weeks of December. Egg sector economists expect the number of farmers producing eggs in California to continue to decline. Prices to farmers in late December ranged from 57 to 72 cents a dozen for large eggs.

Vegetable harvest continues slow

Winter vegetable harvest continues in the Imperial Valley with farmers getting good prices. However, demand is said to be small so growers pick only what can be sold. They've been aided by cooler weather, which brings crops on slowly. But, farmers say they could use extra field workers even now when harvest is slow. The worry is that later this month as production increases larger labor shortages could develop.

Christmas tree farmers had a good year

California Christmas tree farmers say the weather during the selling season this year was perfect. It appears sales will be higher than last December, but final numbers won't be available until spring. Growers are encouraging consumers to recycle their trees into mulch. They have recycle information available on their Web site cleanup.org or via phone, 1-800-253-2687. Consumers enter their zip code and the location or method of recycling is provided.