Food & Farm News
» September 14, 2007 «
State's farm receipts set at $31.4 billion
California remains the number-one farm state in the nation … by far … but the state's farmers and ranchers saw total receipts from crop sales decline 4 percent in 2006. The on-farm value of California crop and commodity production reached $31.4 billion last year, according to a government report. Low prices for milk contributed to the decline, but on-farm milk prices have rebounded this year and milk remains the state's top commodity.
Coalitions work to enhance water quality 
The establishment of watershed coalitions has proven effective at evaluating and enhancing water quality, according to representatives from farm and water organizations who spoke at a Fresno news conference yesterday (Thursday). Individual farmers have joined coalitions that monitor water and guide farmers on the best methods for improving water quality. Coalition representatives urged the regional water-quality board to maintain a consistent program that will ensure continued success.
Rising demand pushes wheat prices upward
Rising global demand helped push wheat prices past $9 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade for the first time ever this week. Analysts say the demand for American wheat could deplete stockpiles to their lowest level in three decades. California farmers will likely respond by planting more. The California Wheat Commission says farmers have already expressed interest in planting additional wheat acreage this fall.
New olive pest turns up in Southern California
A pest never before seen in the United States has turned up in Southern California. The insect, the olive psyllid, feeds only on olive trees. Inspectors found it on landscape olive trees in coastal parts of Orange and San Diego counties. No crop damage has been reported, and authorities want to find natural predators that can eradicate the pest. The olive psyllid is native to the Mediterranean region and officials don't know how it reached California.
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