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Comments about winegrape harvest in various parts of California

Winegrape harvest starts to wind down

Scattered rain showers have created challenges for some winegrape growers, but observers say harvest has been going well overall. Farmers say light showers that reached the Healdsburg area and Monterey County late last week probably caused only minor damage. All growing regions report lighter winegrape harvests compared to a year ago, but all say quality has been high. Harvest is winding down, though Monterey County growers say they will continue until November 1st.

Crop problems elsewhere boost apple demand

Smaller apple crops in other parts of the country have boosted demand for West Coast fruit. Freezing temperatures at bloom time reduced apple crops in many Eastern and Southern states. That has boosted prices for California-grown apples and for fruit from the Pacific Northwest. Market watchers say farmers have also earned higher prices for apples destined for processing into applesauce or juice.

Crews start fruit fly eradication near Gilroy

Work to eradicate an Oriental fruit fly infestation was to have started during the weekend in southern Santa Clara County. Traps caught two of the flies near Gilroy last week. Officials have had success in quelling Oriental fruit fly infestations using bait that lures and kills male flies. The bait is applied high off the ground onto street trees and utility poles. The Oriental fruit fly attacks more than 230 kinds of fruits and vegetables.

State's organic milk production continues to rise

Sales of organic milk continue to increase, according to latest figures from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. In August, producers sold more than 35 percent more organic milk than in the same month a year earlier. Farmers must follow organic production rules for three years before they can be certified as organic milk producers. A number of dairy farmers are in the process of becoming certified as organic producers.

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