Food & Farm News
Real Audio» February 27, 2006 «
Farm weather woes continue
Almond farmers in the Sacramento Valley continue to have concerns about weather. It is too soon to determine how much damage the cold weather has done to early varieties that were in bloom as the cold temperatures hit. Now, farmers are worried about rain and strong wind that is predicted for several days this week. Orchards are in full bloom now, and heavy rain or wind could knock blossoms from the trees. Farmers won't know how effective their crop protection has been until the nuts develop later in spring.
Rural residents oppose insurance rate change
A Napa County farmer asked the California Department of Insurance to reconsider its proposal to change the way insurance companies determine rates. Farmer Ron Taddei testified on behalf of the California Farm Bureau at a hearing in San Francisco (Friday). He said the proposal would raise auto insurance rates for most California drivers and that rural residents would be hit especially hard, because they often drive long distances for business or family activities.
Japanese ban on French poultry could aid California growers
Japan's ban on all poultry from France should provide additional markets for California poultry farmers. The Japanese government issued the ban after bird flu killed thousands of turkeys in eastern France. Japan did not wait for tests to confirm the birds died from the deadly H5N1 virus. California farmers supply poultry to Japan already, and are in a good position to provide some of the more than 1,500 tons the French have sold to the Japanese in the past.
New apple snack available
Moist, chewy apple bars with the flavor and nutritional boost of two orchard-fresh apples are now available in some natural foods stores. Agricultural research scientists in California developed the snack. The snacks are made from apple puree that's mixed with apple concentrate and shaped into a neat rectangle. The procedures developed by the scientists enable the bars to stay moist and flavorful without artificial preservatives or salt or sugar, and are marketed under Earth Balance and Smart Balance brand names.
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