Food & Farm News
Real Audio» July 11, 2006 «
State's farm exports top $10 billion
The dockworkers, marketers, warehouse employees and truck drivers who move California farm goods to foreign markets had a busy year in 2005. California farm exports rose to more than $10 billion during the last fiscal year ... up 7 percent. The U.S. Agriculture Department says the Golden State by far leads the nation in agricultural exports in general, and particular in exports of vegetables, fruits, tree nuts, dairy products, planting seeds and wine.
Field crops thrive in summer heat
Summer warmth has helped offset the effects of springtime rain and chill, particularly for cotton and other field crops. Observers say some of those crops are starting to catch up in their growing cycle. Cotton plants thrive in hot weather, and are growing rapidly. Because they planted late, however, farmers remain cautious in predicting yields. In the past, cotton yields have been smaller when the crop was planted late.
Strawberry harvest threatens records
Weather permitting, the California Strawberry Commission says, farmers may yet set a new production record. Farmers planted more strawberries this year and marketers expected a record crop, but spring weather reduced yields early in the year. Through July 1st, farmers had marketed 850 million pounds of strawberries ... slightly behind last year's pace. A government report issued yesterday (Monday) predicts the state's strawberry crop will be slightly smaller than a year ago.
On-farm milk price to drop next month
Declines in market prices for cheese and butter mean California dairy farmers will earn slightly less for each gallon of milk they sell. Effective August 1st, farmers will earn an average of $1.05 a gallon for milk. That's down about 3 cents from the current on-farm price. The state Department of Food and Agriculture establishes the farm milk price but does not regulate retail prices.
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