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Water situation for Sonoma County grape grower

Pumping increases for State Water Project

As State Water Project pumps bring more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta this week, the project's farm customers await word on how their irrigation supplies will be affected. Water deliveries from the State Water Project will increase during the week, as protected fish move away from the delta pumps. Officials at the Kern County Water Agency said (Friday) they were not yet certain that the state project would be able to deliver all the water it planned to move this summer.

Sonoma grape growers assess water restrictions

Under orders to reduce irrigation by 15 percent this summer and fall, North Coast farmers work to gauge the potential impact on winegrapes and other crops. The State Water Resources Control Board ordered water-use cuts for people who depend on the Russian River for water, including farms, businesses and residences. The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission says the water cuts may lead to reduced yields, but that it does not expect substantial losses.

Canada imposes new rules due to apple moth

In response to the Northern California infestation of light brown apple moths, Canada has imposed new restrictions on California plants and crops. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency outlined specific import rules (Friday) for California-grown nursery plants, cut flowers, fruits and vegetables. The agency said it considers the moth a threat to Canadian agriculture. The light brown apple moth attacks a wide range of plants and has been found in nine California counties.

EPA seeks more air-quality data on livestock farms

Cooperating farms in California and eight other states will help researchers learn more about how livestock farms affect air quality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says there's a lack of air-quality data regarding dairy, poultry and hog farms. Researchers say the new effort will be the most comprehensive and long-term study ever. The goal is to provide the EPA with information to allow it to make science-based decisions on air quality at livestock farms.

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