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Proposed change in the way auto insurance rates are calculated

Farm Bureau seeks fair auto-insurance rates

Beverly Hills wins while Buttonwillow loses ... along with other rural communities ... under an auto insurance rate plan being considered by the state Department of Insurance. The California Farm Bureau Federation says the proposal unfairly penalizes rural drivers, in order to reduce rates in the state's urban areas. The Farm Bureau says an analysis of the rate proposal shows that auto insurance premiums would rise as much as 36 percent in rural areas.

Cheese production breaks new barrier

California's growing cheese production has surpassed 2 billion pounds for the first time. The California Milk Advisory Board said yesterday (Wednesday) the state's cheese production set another record in 2005. Cheese production in the state has more than doubled over the past decade, as California rapidly overtakes Wisconsin as the nation's number-one cheese producer. Nearly half of the milk produced in California goes into cheese production.

Flower growers see growth in online sales

The Internet has become a growing outlet for California flower growers, who expect to sell many of their Valentine's Day blooms online this year. More growers each year sell flowers via several Internet sites, which allow for shipment of fresh flowers directly from the farm to the consumer. For Valentine's Day, roses remain most popular. However, California growers are also selling bouquets of tulips and irises via the Internet.

Demand improves for desert-grown lettuce

Demand for iceberg lettuce has improved, allowing Imperial Valley farmers to sell their crops at a small profit. Some of that demand is from Mexico, and farmers are exporting an increased number of lettuce boxes there. Broccoli and cauliflower prices have softened in recent days, but California farmers are now exporting vegetables to several Pacific Rim nations.

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