Food & Farm News
Real Audio» January 9, 2007 «
AFBF optimistic for immigration reform, farm bill
The American Farm Bureau Federation 88 annual meeting is on going in Salt Lake City, Utah. Delegates will adopt policy statements on a wide range of topics. Organization president Bob Stallman held a news conference saying he is optimistic comprehensive immigration reform that includes a temporary worker program may be adopted by the new Congress. He also said the organization will work with Congress to develop a new farm bill to replace the present law which expires this year.
Farmers preparing for cold
Cold weather is in the forecast for later this week. Farmers with dormant trees and vines aren't too concerned, as they already are inactive. The exception is farms with very young walnut trees that could sustain cold damage if the right conditions develop . North coast winegrape growers say temperatures would have to be far lower than the predictions to damage their vines. Farm advisers say this has been a good season for needed chill hours thus far, hours where temperatures are below 45 degrees which make trees become inactive.
Colorado River watershed 97% of average
Southern California gets much of its water from the Colorado River. The storms that have dumped large amounts of snow on Colorado are mostly on the east slope of the Rockies so that water will go into the Missouri River not the Colorado. But, the Bureau of Reclamation says as of now the Colorado Basin has about 97 percent of average snowfall. However, the months that usually produce the most snow are still ahead. River watchers are hoping for above average precipitation in the next few months.
Kiwifruit crop as expected
California kiwifruit growers have a little less than half of their crop left to sell. Consumers should be able to buy California fruit until April or May when southern hemisphere growers enter the market. Fruit quality is reported as excellent. Growers expect to market about 6 million trays, which is what was estimated. Kiwis are an alternate bearing crop in that they bear more fruit every other year. Last year farmers produced more than 9 million trays the year vines produced more.
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