Food & Farm News
Real Audio» February 21, 2007 «
Dairy farmers learn about new greenhouse-gas law
Dairy farmers will gather today (Wednesday) to learn how a new state law on greenhouse-gas emissions might affect them, and even benefit them. At a symposium in Modesto, dairy farmers will hear about the implications of the law known as Assembly Bill 32. As part of the new law, dairy owners may be able to earn credit for air-quality work, and the symposium will include panels on emissions-reduction credits and greenhouse-gas credits.
Pest hitchhikes on Mexican avocados
A glitch has arisen in early shipments of Mexican avocados into California. State inspectors have rejected one quarter of the shipments after finding an insect pest that would attack California crops. Known as armored scale, the insect turned up in 11 of 44 shipments of Mexican avocados. The insect feeds by sucking juice from avocados and other woody plants, and has not been found in California before.
Southland farmers welcome weekend rain
Much-needed rain fell in Southern California during the holiday weekend, and it came in an ideal manner for the region's farmers. The San Diego County Farm Bureau says pauses between showers allowed the soil to absorb the moisture. Some areas of the county recorded as much as two inches of rain. San Diego County farmers pay one of the highest rates for irrigation water in the state, making the rainfall especially welcome there.
Freeze, drought bring disaster declaration
Freeze and drought led to a disaster declaration for two foothill counties. The U.S. Agriculture Department said yesterday (Tuesday) it had issued disaster declarations for Amador and Calaveras counties, because of crop losses related to the mid-January freeze and the continuing dry winter. The declaration makes affected farmers and ranchers eligible for low-interest emergency loans and other disaster aid. It also allows farmers in a half-dozen neighboring counties to apply.
Top
